Robert Henry "Bob" Hopkins

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend, Robert (Bob) Hopkins. Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Bob moved to Duncan in 1937 with his parents and younger brother, where he completed high school and helped with the family run chicken farm that was located on the corner of Drinkwater and Somenos Road.

At the age of eighteen, Bob enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force, spending several exciting years maintaining airplanes and recording logged hours for test pilots, until his discharge in 1946. Bob enjoyed sharing stories of his flying adventures.

Soon thereafter, Bob continued on to a successful career as an industrial electrician, working primarily at the Youbou Sawmill for eight years and then thirty-two years at the Port Alberni Pulp and Paper Mill, from where he retired.

Bob's most dedicated interest was trapshooting, in which he shot 250,000 registered targets. Bob began trapshooting at the Duncan Elks Gun Club in 1946, now known as the Cowichan Valley Trap and Skeet Club. Bob's proficiency as a trap shooter won him numerous prizes at local and provincial category events. He served as president of the Cowichan Valley Gun Club from 1966 through 1977 and was also actively involved with the British Columbia Trapshooting Association, serving as vice president in 1981; president from 1982 through 1985; and Victoria Island Zone Representative/BCTA from 1982 through 1985 and again from 1987 until 2002. Besides volunteering at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, he also participated on the Pacific International Trapshooting Association Veteran All Star Team from 1989 to 1999. In 2010, he was inducted in to the PITA Hall of Fame. Bob welcomed new shooters by offering kind words of advice and sharing his love and knowledge of the sport.

As a young man, Bob's other interests included playing softball, fishing and being a business agent for the Youbou hockey team. In his later years, Bob enjoyed woodworking, gardening, playing bridge and 5 pin bowling.

Bob was a modest and humble person with a big smile. He will be missed by his family and many friends. 

April 22, 1924- July 15, 2018

The Cowichan Valley Trap and Skeet Club invites all of Bob's numerous friends and acquaintances to his Celebration of life held at the Trap and Skeet Club 4505 Cowichan Lake Road, Duncan BC, April 7, 2019, 1 pm. All are encouraged to share experiences or amusing stories, they have had about Bob over the years, as well his many shooting accomplishments.

A lunch will be provided, as well as coffee, tea, and soft drinks. There will be a display of Bob's numerous Trophies, Awards, and artifacts in the Clubhouse.