HOPKINS, R.V. [Roy V.]

HOPKINS, BENJAMIN, DAWSON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/16/2016 at 00:46:11

Biography of R.V. [Roy V.] Hopkins
Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa

Roy V. Hopkins was born on July 18, 1881, in Plainville, Illinois [Princeville, Illinois by some accounts], the son of Julius Hubbard and Mary Levera (Benjamin) Hopkins.

Roy was one of the pioneers of Graceland's athletics. He obtained his B.A. from Lombard University of Illinois, where he specialized in Latin, Greek and German and studied physiology. He began his educational career as a high school teacher for five years at Princeville, Illinois. He then came to Graceland in the fall of 1908 as professor of ancient languages, dean of men [the dormitory then located in the basement of the Administration Building] and the college's first official coach. As dean, Roy received room and board. Roy's appointment arose out of a growing interest in physical education as it was developing at that time in higher education.

Upon his arrival, R.V., as he was usually called, taught history the first year and established a gymnasium and physical education program. He immediately called for volunteers to form a football team (which had existed at Graceland since 1902) and made the same request the following spring for trackmen and tennis players. In 1911, R.V. became the first person named to the title of Graceland College Athletic Director, and in September of 1913, assumed coaching duties for the women's basketball team. In his later years at Graceland, R.V. taught primarily Latin and served as principal of the Academy.

As both coach and instructor, R.V. was known for his good humor and pep and was extensively involved in Graceland's religious programs. In 1910, he accepted additional duties to assist in the college's financial development, traveling to 125 RLDS congregations throughout the country to raise $10,000.

R.V. eventually added history and the Bible to his teaching duties until leaving Graceland in 1919. He became a member of the Standing High Council of the RLDS Church in 1922. R.V. suffered from a long illness in 1923-24. He was ordained a patriarch in 1938. Also in 1938, R.V. assumed the duties of pastor of the church's Independence Stake. He served as chaplain of the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital School of Nursing.

When R.V died, a copy of the Saint's Herald next to his bed was opened to an article entitled "Open the Windows of Heaven."

As a result of an automobile crash, R.V. died on December 20, 1947, near Princeville, Illinois after attending the funeral of his sister, Mrs. Charles Dawson. Interment was made at Mound Grove Cemetery, Independence, Missouri.

SOURCES:

Edwards, Paul M. "The Hilltop Where . . . An Informal History of Graceland College." Pp. 39, 61, 67, 71-71, 154-55. Venture Foundation. Lamoni IA. 1972.

Goehner, David. “The Graceland College Book of Knowledge: From A To Z.” Pp. 416-17. Herald House. Independence MO. 1997.

Roy V. Hopkins obituary

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2013; updated January of 2016

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