Richard Sabin “Dick” Hopper, retired captain, U.S. Navy, passed away Thursday evening Sept. 27, at the age of 89 at his home in Oak Harbor with family at his side.

He was born in Walla Walla, Wash. on Nov. 28, 1928 to Richard Homer and Marion Sabin Hopper and attended Eugene High School class of 1946, and graduated with a BS degree from University of Oregon in 1950, as a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.

Dick entered the Navy via officer candidate school as a pilot and met and married Mollie Anne Cuthrell from Elisabeth City, N.C. Dec. 6, 1952.

Dick enjoyed a full and widely admired Navy career leading flight squadrons into dangerous missions in Vietnam and the Arab – Israeli Six-Day War. Dick was noted to be a selfless leader who was known to take on the most perilous assignments himself rather than asking his men. He served on five different aircraft carriers for eight cruises throughout the world and flew nearly every aircraft the Navy fielded. Between 1955 and 1972 he was away from the family at least as much as he was home. During that time, the family moved eight times, usually from coast to coast and often on short notice.

The couple had four children, each born in a different part of the country. Finally, in 1974, Dick was transitioned away from flying and culminated his Navy career with appointments to Navy congressional liaison and commander of NAS Whidbey.

After retiring from the Navy, Dick and Mollie decided on one more move, back to Whidbey Island, to take advantage of the strong Navy community and fishing and boating opportunities. Dick enjoyed an 11- year second career as Northwest Regional Director with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University serving the educational needs of active duty military members.

Dick was an active member of Rotary and the Yacht Club in Oak Harbor. He and Mollie enjoyed many years of boating and fishing throughout the Northwest. After Mollie passed, Dick married Phyllis Marie Keller, who had been his high school sweetheart. Although Dick had a rich career and a tremendous network of friends across the country, family was most important to Dick.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mollie, his two children Keith and Julie, and his wife Phyllis. Dick is survived by his son Kenneth and wife Carol Ann, and their children, Raymond and wife Caitlin, Mackenzie and Lindsey and her fiancé Rus; son Scott and wife Carrie and children, Crystal and husband Jeremy, and Erin; Julie’s husband, Daniel, and wife Jessica and children, Mollie and her husband, Grant, Katia and Keith; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many dear friends.

Dick’s celebration of life will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21 at the Oak Harbor Yacht Club, 1301 Catalina Drive, Oak Harbor. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers your donations to WhidbeyHealth Hospice Care are welcome.