January 2008 Issue
OBITUARIES
Douglas Alan Hopkins, P.Geoph.
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DOUG HOPKINS, P.GEOPH. |
Douglas Alan Hopkins, P.Geoph., a well-liked professional with an impish grin and prematurely white hair, lost a year-long struggle June 3 against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly know as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Mr. Hopkins worked for 20 years as a systems analyst, for CGI and DB Corp. Prior to the 1986 crash in oil prices, he was as a geophysicist at Shell and then in the software systems group at Veritas.
Remembered for his irrepressible, impish grin and his sardonic sense of humour, Mr. Hopkins’ hair was white — and had been so for quite some time. Even in his first years at Shell he was kidded about it.
Diagnosed with ALS in July 2006, the disease took him less than a year later at the age of 55.
He started a website to raise awareness about ALS and money for research and patient care. The site’s initial goal was $4,000, but the total was over $7,500 when The PEGG checked in November.
He wrote on his site: “ALS has had a profound effect on my family. First, my Uncle Fred dealt with the disease in the late 1970s. Then my brother and dear friend, Bob, was diagnosed as having ALS in early 1999. Bob passed away in August of 2001.
“Now, I have ALS. I was diagnosed in July 2006, although symptoms had been developing in the months before. Today, I am unable to walk.
“Two to three Canadians die every day of ALS. It is important that funding be provided for the support of patients and for the ongoing and ever-increasing research efforts. “
Surviving him are his wife, Karen, a son, Mark, and a daughter, Katharine. Older brother Bob pre-deceased him.
Memorial donations may be made to the ALS Society of Alberta, which also received the money donated through Mr. Hopkins’ site. Donate at www.alsab.ca.