Melvin H. 'Mike' Hoopman — Rochester

Melvin H. "Mike" Hoopman, 93, of Rochester, died on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013.

Mike was born Feb. 13, 1920, to Henry and Martha Hoopman in Cherry Grove, Minn., and attended the Cherry Grove School through the eighth grade. In the early 1930s, he was befriended by home-built airplane pioneer, Bernard Pietenpol, and mentored in the mechanics and function of the Model-T engine. He applied those skills in the United States Army from 1942 to 1946, earning the American Theater Ribbon, a Good Conduct Medal and WWII Victory Medal.

After the war, he married Arlene H. Sikkink, and in 1947, they began their 66 years of marriage in Spring Valley. Pursuing his love for all things mechanical, he worked in both the Ford and Chevrolet auto shops until 1957. Then, he joined IBM at the Rochester facility and worked there for 25 years, retiring in 1982. In retirement, he enjoyed fishing in the company of many dear friends and wintering with Arlene in Apache Junction, Ariz. Mike often would reflect that he had been incredibly fortunate to have been retired more years than he had worked. Mike was one of the founding members of the Church of the Savior in Rochester and a friend to the members for more than 50 years. An avid cribbage player, he was a regular member of the Tuesday cribbage group at Shorewood Senior Campus and a summer inductee into the "24 Club" for residents who have gotten a 24-point hand or higher, a feat he achieved on several occasions. Mike was known for his ready smile, contagious laugh, strong sense of optimism and a special connection to everyone he met. We will miss you Mike.

He is survived by his wife, Arlene Hoopman; son, David Hoopman, of Kasson; daughter, Sharon Grayden; and son-in-law, Stephen Bayne, of Ann Arbor, Mich.; two granddaughters, Shelli (Craig) Anderson and Carri Hoopman; daughter-in-law, Dorothy Hoopman Lentz; two grandsons, Jon Hoopman and Michael Hoopman; and three great-grandsons, Drew Anderson and Andrew and Evan Hoopman. He was preceded in death by three brothers; four sisters; and his youngest son, Richard.

A visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. at Church of the Savior in Rochester on Sunday, Oct. 20. The funeral service will be at Church of the Savior on Monday, Oct. 21, officiated by Pastor Ron Sikkema, at 11 a.m. with a pre-service visitation at 10 a.m.