Marlo Hoppman

Salem, Ore.

Marlo Richard Hoppman of Salem, Oregon passed away in the evening hours on Tuesday March 12th, 2024. Rich, or Richie as he was known by friends and family was 85 years old.

Richie was born on October 28th, 1938, to Ed and Agnes Hoppman of Surrey N.D. Richie grew up farming with his dad and five sisters Elaine, Lillian, Darlene, Arlene, and the youngest Viola. Life on the farm was hard but it instilled a work ethic in Richie unrivaled in today’s standards.

On the exact same day, at the exact same hospital, one year after Richie was born, a baby girl was born who would grow up to become the love of Richie’s life. Little Polly Ann Elsberry from the same town of Surrey, ND. The two grew up, went to the same school, and later married on “you guessed it” October 28th, 1959.

They had their first son Wade, in 1960, and then their second, Jon in 1965. After Jon was born, Richie brought his family out west to Oregon where they first landed in Springfield and later settled in Salem. In 1973, a daughter was born. Rachel Ann was the light in Richie’s eyes.

After working a few years as a police officer, Richie changed fields and entered the commercial construction industry where he retired after 30 plus years with the Oregon Washington Carpenters Union. Richie and Polly spent their retirement traveling in their RV and on their motorcycle logging thousands of miles across the country. When not traveling, Richie had a small woodshop where he created hundreds of handcrafted gadgets. He was famous for building custom clocks. In addition to wood crafting, they spent most of their time gardening on their half acre of heaven.

Richie is survived by his sister Viola, his son Jon (Valerie), daughter Rachel (Ryan), 8 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.

The family will be holding a graveside service on April 9th, 2024, at Belcrest Memorial Park in Salem, OR. at 1:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Serenity Hospice of Salem, Ore.

Published by The Minot Daily News, April 9, 2024.