I send condolences to Bruce's family and all the friends for whom he was so special. Bruce and I attended Coe College at the same time, and he graduated a year ahead of me. My connection with him was through the other Hop family members who treated me lovingly as family during my senior year at Coe and years after, too. It is truly admirable that Bruce carried on the wonderful welcoming into his heart with his affection that his role model mother and dad bestowed on me. The generosity of kindness Bruce perfected is witnessed by all the heart felt and moving testimonials to his caring behavior that so many have shared here. That is a life well lived. I have fond memories of those years with the Hops and am sorry to have lost close contact with Bruce, Harvey, Jr., Jim, Karl, and Jon Lee. I shall always remember with profound gratitude the Hop Family. My warm memories live on, as I am sure that the entire family's will, too..
Respectfully,
Rich Stanley
Carmel, CA
Rich Stanley
December 24, 2018
To Miss Cheryl and the Hop family I send my sincerest of sympathies. I know that the absence of Bruce must leave you with the heaviest of hearts but please take comfort in knowing he is no longer suffering. Surely the memories he made with you will help provide smiles and laughter for the many years to come. How I look forward to the time when sickness, sorrow and death will be replaced by health, joy and life eternally, just as God promises! -Revelation 21:4, Isaiah 65:17-25
A.J.
December 14, 2018
Bruce was one of the first friends I encountered when I moved to Cedar Rapids in the 70's when we were recruited by Demi as "ringers" for the service club Olympics. He was always a joy to be around and always had the booming welcome. Will miss him and will always be listening around the corner for his joyous presence.
Neal Armstrong
December 14, 2018
Cheryl and Family. Jimmy drove to the church tonite ,so very sad knowing that he was going to say goodbye to Bruce. He got to Second St ,saw the police directing traffic,saw the line of people that came to pay their respect and to tell their stories about Bruce and suddenly he heard this wonderful booming laughter saying ‘jimmy can you believe this!’ I know the policemen and never thought they would be directing traffic, wait until I tell thiis. I am sorry I could not stay. But work called and Bruce would understand. Bruce would make the Collins plane shake with his voice and his dads voice while Mr Hop flew me to Texas to visit my family and up to Mn to the lake. What fun!
Nance Wagner
December 13, 2018
Our daughter Liz and Katie B have been lifelong friends since they were 3 and 4 years old. One Sunday I went to the Hop home to pick up Liz from another over night stay. When I pulled in I saw Bruce out at the Tiki bar by the pool all by himself. I went over to chat and found a very sad Bruce. That was the same day Dale Earnhart, Number 3, had died at Daytona Speedway in a racing accident. Bruce and I just talked. I had the privilege of seeing a "larger than life Bruce" so very vulnerable about the tragic loss of a "larger than life" race car driver. Bruce touched my heart that day. The Mitchell Family extends our most sincere condolences to Cheryl and the entire Family.
Konnie Mitchell
December 13, 2018
Sorry to hear of Bruce"s passing. We got to be good friends back when he was a tenant at North Town Place in the 70s. I never met a more funny man. P.S. I was the resident manager. God Bless You all !
Monte Ireland
December 13, 2018
Cheryl and family and friends of Bruce, I am so very sorry to hear about Bruce's passing. As I sit hear and go through the memories flooding through my head and my heart, I can honestly say he was one of the most amazing people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. As I read the memorial and all of the beauty in it that gives a perfect picture of the kind of person he was. I am beyond heartbroken for you. For me he was the highlight of the Cincinnati Life Insurance Meetings when he would come into town, often times sporting a Hawaiian Tommy Bahama style shirt, and showing off his "pride" and "joy" after pulling them out of his wallet, told stories at dinner or whatever "watering hole" we all ended up at after, but his intelligence, sales sense and mentoring were also a wonderful gift. Heaven gained and amazing man, but we all sure lost one. He was truly an inspiration, a comic, a mentor, and shared his amazing love for life with all he came in contact with. A wonderful friend that I will miss dearly. Hugs and love to all who knew and loved him and that list has to be infinite! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, with sincere and heartfelt sympathy, I am truly sorry for your loss. Love, Julie Eagan
Julie Eagan
December 13, 2018
Dear Cheryl & Family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Bruce was a wonderful person and larger than life personality. Always enjoyed seeing you two out. Bruce was always so happy and complimentary. He will be missed by everyone that knew him. Stay strong and we hope your cherished loving memories will ease your sorrow.
James and Jeanne (Beer) Kewley
James and Jeanne (Beer) Kewley
December 12, 2018
Sorry to hear of Bruce"s passing. We got to be good friends back when he was a tenant at North Town Place in the 70s. I never met a more funny man. P.S. I was the resident manager. God Bless You all !
Monte Ireland
December 12, 2018
I was "around" Bruce for 75 years. Through ups and downs, through thick and thin. Through Wives and girl friends. He was my brother and I loved him. I shall miss him. Forgiveness is wonderful thing.
Bless your heart Cheryl.
Harvey Hop
December 12, 2018
I have been around Bruce for about 30 years and will miss his larger than life attitude. Prayers for you all.
Greg Saul
December 12, 2018
I was sorry to learn of Bruce's passing. It was always a real pleasure helping you both shop at my store. You and all the family will be in my prayers. Rest in peace Bruce.
Myra and Bob
robert holley
December 12, 2018
Cheryl and family,
My deepest sympathies go out to all of you. Hopper was not only a great person but a fabulous business leader. Our business, Stille Pierce and Pertzborn, depended on him for many things during our Association.
He was one of a kind - that's what makes this so hard for all.
My best to all of you.
Steve Stille
December 12, 2018
Cheryl, Cindy and I have you and the family in our thoughts and prayers. Bruce was always larger than life. I can hear his wonderful voice booming from above. They are all smiling up there.
All our love, John & Cindy
John Bloomhall
December 12, 2018
Cheryl, I am so sorry for your loss. I have had the honor and opportunity to experience and witness all of the wonderful things he did for other people. Everyone was his friend. I will dearly miss him and our talks. I will look forward to Thursday lunches on the other side. RIP...dear friend. God bless you and your family.
Craig Hotchkiss
December 12, 2018
Cheryl, I am so sorry to hear of your great loss.
God bless you.... Jean Salter
Jean salter
December 11, 2018
Cheryl and family ; the Wagner’s and Hop’s family have known each other from Collins Radioi starting in the late 1940’s. Jim has had great memories of Bruce throughout the years,you could always remember his laugh and sense of humor. Bruce just plain made people feel good and that is a gift. Rest In Peace Bruce you will not be forgotten.
Jim and nance wagner
December 11, 2018
I am sorry to hear about Bruce's passing. I will never forget how Bruce would light up a room when he entered. Instantly, people started smiling because they knew what was coming. I first met Bruce when he was at The Travelers and have been friends and business associates for over 34 years. My condolences to Cheryl and all Bruce's family. The world is a little less bright but suffice to say heaven received a ray of sunshine. Rest in Peace my friend.
Terry McDonald
December 11, 2018
We are so sorry for your loss. It feels like there is a big hole in the universe with Bruce gone.
Rest Peacefully, my friend.
Greg and Lisa Thirnbeck
Greg Thirnbeck
December 11, 2018
We’re sorry for your loss. Bruce was a great guy who would always put a smile on my face. We played softball together for many years. Always enjoyed being with Bruce. RIP old friend. Scott and Linda
Clair Scott
December 11, 2018
Cheryl and all family members you have lost a great treasure. “The Bruce” was always a “presence”. He will truly be missed by many many friends. It was my honor to call him friend.
Mark and Sharon Donahue
December 11, 2018
Absolute pleasure & joy to be in company of; honor & distinction to have been a friend.
Flip Klinger
December 11, 2018
So sorry to hear of Bruce's passing. It was always such a positive and uplifting experience whenever I had the opportunity to spend time with him. I always looked forward to those moments, whether it was on the golf course or enjoying a beverage with him. Please accept my condolences. Thoughts and prayers to all of you!
Mike Murdock
December 11, 2018
So sorry to hear of Bruce's passing. He was truly one of kind. He made people feel like they were his best friend, so he had 1000's of best friends. Please accept our deepest condolences and take some comfort in a life well lived and the memories that will live on forever.
Kevin & Melissa Torner
December 11, 2018
What a bitter-sweet way to begin my day. Btuce and I became friends at Washington HS and our first 2 years at Coe. I recall double dating with him (and Maralee most likely) and my future wife Karen. I moved on from Iowa but always tried to reconnect when in CR. It was remarkable how he never changed from the kind man I first met.
He was, as someone here remarked, bigger than life, friendly with everyone and Always ready with a kind word or a (corny) joke.. i believe the world was made happier with his presence ??, i know i was!
Thomas Smith
December 11, 2018
Cheryl, Harvey and Maralee ... our condolences on Bruce's passing. What a guy! Friendly smile, a touch of humor and quite an athlete. Fond memories from high school and the opportunity to visit in later years. RIP .. be sure to touch base with George Hofferfber for us.
Don Boland
December 11, 2018
Just reading this obit has me shedding tears of joy and laughter as I recall "The Bruce" of my life, a special friend from the 60's whom I met through my new husband, Don. One vacation trip to the Hop condo in Florida came about with Bruce arranging a Lear Jet flight with his Dad piloting, taking along the group of friends for some fun times! Always so generous and of course full of fun. His repeated jokes never got stale somehow! Our thoughts and prayers to Cheryl, Harvey, Trisha and all the Hops. What a great life to be lost to so many. Bruce is at peace now and probably has an entire new audience to work. We loved him deeply, Don and Donna
Donna Farley
December 11, 2018
His passing leaves a void yet his spirit will live on forever. Condolences to Cheryl, Harvey and all the children. Our prayers will include all of you.
David and Margot Rice
December 11, 2018
Cheryl, Harvey and the entire Hop family: We were saddened to hear of Bruce's passing. May you find peace and comfort knowing he is in His care now. Godspeed, Bruce.
Bernie and Deb Burmeister
December 11, 2018
Cheryl, we extend our condolences to you and your family. We will always remember Bruce for his smile, humor, his love of people and his love of life. Bev & Jim Nowak
Bev Nowak
December 11, 2018
Cheryl, we extend our condolences to you and your family. We will always remember Bruce for his smile, humor, his love of people and his love of life. Bev & Jim Nowak
Bev Nowak
December 11, 2018
Dear Cheryl and family,
We are so sad to hear of your loss of Bruce. He was always such a special man to us and he will always be loved and missed. Our
Hearts and Prayers are with you, Jim and
Jennifer
Jim and Jennifer Haycraft
December 11, 2018
May God bless and comfort you and your family during this difficult period, please accept our sincere condolences. Bruce was always such a great friend and he always had a smile and a joke and made us laugh. He will definitely be missed, but never forgotten.
Wayne and Judy Kinney
December 10, 2018
Bruce,
You were my great friend for 60 years. I loved you and will miss you. I will always smile when I think of our old times. Know peace!
Cheryl,
The void in your life will be as huge as Bruce was. I will pray for you and yours. You too, please now peace. My love to you.
John
John J Morrow
December 10, 2018
Oh Cheryl, am so sorry for your loss. You have loved him so much and he took your love with him. My prayers are with you and your family
Connie Heidemann
Connie Heidemann
December 10, 2018