HARRY HOPWOOD ‘43,
Outstanding senior Olympian
Harry Hopwood joined the United States Marine Corps immediately after
graduation from West - it was during WWII. He was stationed at Parris
Island; Cherry Point, NC; Quantico, VA; Miramar, CA; Pearl Harbor;
Marshall Islands; and Wake Island. He left the Marines in 1946 only
to join the Navy in 1951. He was stationed in Patuxent River, MD until
his tour was complete in 1953.
Harry retired in 1983 from the Hershey Chocolate Company. His primary
work experience was in sales and marketing for national food manufacturing
companies. He continues to consult and assist in marketing activities
of food products in Ohio.
When at West, Harry was a punter on the football team. Quotes from
The Columbus Dispatch sports writers of the time said, "Glen ‘Yip'
Owen developed Harry Hopwood into becoming ‘punter deluxe' and ‘the
best punter in Ohio.' Harry has continued his athletic abilities,
although not on the football field. To this day, Harry plays basketball
at Westgate Park with young men, 20-30 years old, and he still holds
his own very well.
This continued athletic
activity brought him to participate in the Ohio Senior Olympics in
1992. His combined score in around-the-world and free throw was the
best among all competitors who came from all over the country. Harry
received a Gold Medal for the Ohio Senior Olympics at the age of 68.
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During his frequent visits to Westgate Park, Harry is a mentor to many
of the young kids who come there for a pick-up game. He does his best
to teach them the basics of basketball, and he encourages them to be
a team player, while having fun with the sport.
Harry was previously married to Peggy Ann Fergus ‘43 with whom he had
one son. He then married Mary Kathryn Andrews ‘47 with whom he had two
daughters. He has five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He
and Margaret Ann Scott ‘44 have been married for thirty-eight years.
Update: Harry Hopwood
died March 7. He was 83.
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