Robert Heywood Hoppe

Robert Heyward Hoppe, age 93, of Abilene, Texas passed away on December 29, 2025, in Abilene, Texas.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 28th, at 11:00 am at the Church of the Heavenly Rest with Reverend David Romanik officiating. Interment will follow at the Church columbarium.

Robert Hoppe was born in Stamford, Texas to Robert Cottman Hoppe and Elizabeth Ann Wood Hoppe on January 14, 1932.  He graduated from Texas A&M and received his MBA from Harvard Business School.  

Lt. Robert Hoppe served as a pilot in the Air Anti-Submarine Squadron, US Navy.  As a naval aviator he primarily flew S2F’s off aircraft carriers. 

Bob was a growth focused business owner. He owned Hoppe Auto Electric with stores in Abilene, Big Spring and San Angelo. Later he opened Consolidated Parts Warehouse and several Auto Part Marts 

Robert Hoppe was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Patricia Hoppe Magee and his son, Mark Heyward Hoppe.

He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Sellers Hoppe, and children, Erle Sellers Hoppe and Ann Dees (Hewitt) Gardner and grandchildren, William Sanderson Hoppe, Eleanor Elizabeth (Blitz Hoppe) Phillips, Ellen (Hewitt) Sanders, Anne (Hoppe) Fried, Nellie (Hoppe) Reed and Emily (Hoppe) Connolly.

Twelve great grandchildren, Palmer and Luke Hoppe, Heath and Hardy Phillips, Quinn and Kit Connolly, Jill and Curtis Sanders, Kate and Kaylee Reed and Ford and Emmett Fried.

Bob was very active and loved tennis, snow and water skiing, hunting, scuba diving, horseback riding and windsurfing.

His aeronautical engineering background led to a love and fascination with flying and building radio-controlled model airplanes.

His business interests ranged from automotive, small engines, cattle and ranching, securities markets to early computerized business systems.

Bob was a devoted husband to his wife, Eleanor. Bob also led a life well lived which always included his family. He was an involved, action loving father. 

Memorials may be given to The Church of the Heavenly Rest in Abilene, Texas or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Tina Johnson at Wesley Court and Rebecca Pettersen, Kimberly Welch and Pat Wespheling for their help in recent years.