Robert Lewis Hopkins “Bob” “Hoppy” age 91, passed away quietly on Sunday, March 15, 2026, in St. George, Utah. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on January 20, 1935.

Bob led a life of ‘experiences’ as he liked to refer to them. They began with drag racing on the Bonneville Salt Flats in his late teens and early twenties. During the 1950’s, his team won many trophies including the State Speed Record. During this time he also went to University of Utah (UU) for 2 years until he was called by the US Army. 2 years were spent in Germany during a missile crisis that was a broader part of the cold war.

Bob returned from Germany in 1960 and went back to UU to finish his degree in Mechanical Engineering. He met and married Patricia Skaggs in October of 1960. They were married for 20 years.

After graduation, he was hired by General Dynamics in Ft. Worth, TX, where he designed the rotating glove on the F-111 fighter plane. 1966 brought a move to Seattle where he worked contract with Boeing designing various parts of the 727, 737, and 747 planes.

Bob, with his growing family, moved to Burbank, CA to work with Lockheed. His work there was on the L-1011 plane. It was during this time he went to night school, studying law. As the market changed, Bob moved his family back to Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake City was not a booming place for aircraft design. So, he found a position at Christensen Diamond and for 17 years was a downhole tool designer for the oil fields. His innovations allowed him to travel across the world. His team also designed diamond saw blades used for grooving highways. Afterwards he took his knowledge and formed his own company Scorpion Engineering Inc.

He wanted to be remembered as an artist. His art is amazing, and the accomplishments in his career were impressive, but his ‘experiences’ outside of work were enviable. They were art themselves. Not only did he have the trophies from racing, a trophy for marksmanship in the Army, but he also skied the world from Germany, to Japan, to Hawaii, to all of Utah, and also became a National Ski Patrolman. He was an avid powered paraglider, getting his glider pilot’s license (twice). He ran numerous marathons, placing best in his age group. He was also an accomplished diver, traveling across the world as a Master Diver and Dive Master for both personal pleasure and as an instructor. From Micronesia to Hawaii, South America, Africa, Europe, and Australia he dove anywhere and everywhere.

A life very well lived!

Bob moved to St. George later in life to enjoy sunshine and warmth.

He leaves behind his 3 incredible sons: Mark (wife Chela & granddaughter Brittiny Sara), David (wife Sarah) and Jon Scott. As well, his long-time friend and companion Patricia Hopkins.

Memorial Services will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements were made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454.

Friends and family are invited to share their memories of Bob and sign his online guestbook at www.SpilsburyMortuary.com