Sidney J. Hopkins II
Marriages
Judith Rajala - 1957
Obituaries
Steamboat Pilot - August 6, 2020
In Memoriam
Sidney J. Hopkins II
November 18, 1936 – July 8, 2020
Dear Steamboat,
We are sad to announce the passing of Sidney J.Hopkins ll on July 8, 2020 due to a heart condition. His body was 83 years old, but his spirit was 30 something!
He was born at his parent’s home, on McComb Street, in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Elizabeth Hopkins (Kendrovicks) and Sidney J Hopkins on November 18, 1936.
He was the oldest of his 4 siblings-Dennis, Brenda, Margaret and Thomas. As a youngster, Sid was active in scouting, sports, and general mischief. In high school, he lettered in swimming and graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1956.
In 1957, (when newspapers were printed on paper) Sid began his career as a pressman for the Ann Arbor News. He retired 35 years later. That’s 22,700+ newspaper editions! He loved the smell of ink, the roar of the presses and his coworkers at “the news” . He was honored to serve 8 years in the Air Force Reserves and was trained to be a flight navigator. He continued to have a life long love of flying. He assembled his own ultralight plane and taught hang gliding.
He and Judith Rajala married in 1957 and together had two children. They lived in Whitmore Lake, Michigan where Sid enjoyed fun with his kids, farming his 10 acres, golfing, boating, artwork, and began his career as a certified Ski instructor at the Mt. Brighton ski area.
Following his divorce and retirement, Sid followed his brother Dennis to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. “Sid Ski” spent the next 20+ years teaching young and old the joy of skiing. His years in Steamboat Springs were spent designing/building several homes, gardening, vacationing with his grandchildren, and traveling. He was privileged to serve with the Optimist Club of Steamboat Springs, be an active member of St .Paul’s Episcopal Church, and have fun with the “Over The Hill Gang”.
Sid was blessed to marry again at a ripe old age to his sweetheart, Karalie Burch. Kay put up with his shenanigans, loved his family like her own, traveled with him, skied with him, and was at his bedside the moment his spirit left us.
Sidney is preceded in death by his parents, brother Tommy, sister Maggie and nephew David. He is survived by his wife-Karalie Burch of Steamboat, son-Kent Hopkins of Ann Arbor MI, daughter-Lisa Condon (Thomas) of Atlanta GA, grandson-Michael Condon, granddaughter-Katherine Condon, his faithful dog Scamper, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends everywhere.
Sidney’s funeral was July 11, 2020 at St. Paul’s Episcopal church and his earthly remains buried at Steamboat Cemetary. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, the community was unable to attend.
The family requests that you perform a random act of kindness in Sid’s name as a way to honor his memory.
Sincerely, the Hopkins/Burch family
