Obituary: Hoppe, Jack E.
Age 94
A lifetime resident of Spokane, Jack was born to William and Gladys Hoppe on November 23, 1919.
He and his identical twin brother, Bill, developed an early interest in radio and electronics.
He grew up with a love of family and was blessed with the gifts of curiosity and intellect.
In his youth, Jack obtained his ham radio license and began communicating with other “hams” around the world.
When WWII broke out, Jack enlisted in the Army Air Force and became an aircraft electrician.
At his church youth group, Christian Endeavor, Jack met Arlene Schuster.
After a long courtship, Jack and Arlene were married on Leap Day, February 29, 1944, at Knox Presbyterian Church.
After a ten day honeymoon, Jack was sent overseas for two years, stationed in Brazil and Ascension Island repairing and maintaining aircraft flown in the war.
When Jack returned, he and Arlene settled down in Spokane and began a life together that lasted 68 years.
They raised two children in their home on the South Hill, enjoyed membership at Knox Presbyterian, Manito Presbyterian and more recently at Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church.
Over the years they hosted countless family picnics and holiday gatherings at their home.
Jack enjoyed gardening, fishing, and reading.
On any given day, he would surround himself with the newspaper and read it cover to cover.
His curiosity led him to enjoy reading just about anything ‘informational’ and his children believed he knew just about everything.
His magazine stacks included publications on photography, science, engineering, current events, gardening, history, and computer technology.
Jack and his brother, Bill, became pioneers in the Television Broadcasting industry in Spokane.
Jack worked for 33 years at KHQ TV in the engineering department, as it grew from the radio broadcasting field into the cutting edge television station it was to become.
Jack remembers designing the first “green wall” for the station, the background where weather reporters could stand while the weather maps were electronically transmitted behind them.
He worked on the development of the transmitter from Tower Mountain, and he helped build and maintain the complex electronic circuitry that made the station run.
Jack retired from KHQ in 1985.
Over the years, Jack was a member of the Spokane Camera Club, the Amateur Radio Relay League, Inland Empire V.H.F.
Club and Spokane Radio Amateur Club.
Jack was a man of great character and wisdom.
His honesty and integrity leave high standards for his children and grandchildren to live up to.
His humble spirit would not allow him to understand how important he has been to us all, but he will be deeply missed.
His family will forever be grateful to the staff at Moran Vista Senior Living Center for their care and concern during Jack’s last days.
Jack is preceded in death by his wife, Arlene, his parents, William and Gladys, his brother Bill, and sisters Betty and Patricia.
Jack is survived by his son, Jim (Sally) Hoppe and daughter, Cheryl (Gale) Allen; his grandchildren, Tom (Heather) Hoppe, Ann Marie (Joe) Turner, Erin Dunlop, Craig (Lisa) Allen, Suzanne (Ryan) Mulvey, and Tricia (Adam) Stombaugh; and his great-grandchildren, Julianna, Dawson, Grace, Griffin, Derek, Sophie, Mia, Devyn, Camden, Jack, Dalton, and Remy.
Memorial services will be held at Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church on February 15, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church to be used in their elder outreach ministry, 4102 South Crestline, Spokane, WA, 99203.