TRIBUTE TO ROLLIE WILLIAM HOPGOOD, A MAN OF ACTION
Rollie Hopgood, past president of the Michigan Federation of Teachers and School-Related Personnel from 1996 to 2001, passed away March 12, 2002, while in Hawaii with his wife.
Rollie was many things to many people: union leader, teacher, friend, biking enthusiast, advocate and family man. Not only passionate and committed, he was a man of action, a man with a mission, a man who knew no limits when it came to advancing unity, the labor movement, public education and the condition of all public school employees.
Rollie worked tirelessly for the Michigan Federation of Teachers & School-Related Personnel in 1970 and 1971 as a staff representative and again from 1981 to 1996 as administrative assistant to the president. In 1996 he was chosen by the administrative board to replace retiring President Hugh Jarvis. Rollie was then elected and reelected to the presidency in 1997 and 1999.
While president of the Taylor Federation of Teachers, Local 1085, Rollie was able to effectuate collective bargaining rights before the state bargaining law was enacted and lead numerous strikes to secure outstanding contracts.
He served on the Taylor (Mich.) City Council, the state AFL-CIO executive board, was treasurer of the state board of education; he taught art, social studies and physical education in the Taylor school district.
Past President Hopgood retired in June of 2001, with the plan of taking bike trips in various parts of the country with his wife, Chris, yet was active with the newly formed MFT&SRP retirees committee and had plans to actively campaign for his son Hoon-Yung Hopgood in his race for state representative in Michigan's 22nd District.
Mr. Hopgood was known for his big voice and even bigger heart. He laughed loud, lived well and was an inspiration to many.
RESOLVED, that the AFT, AFL-CIO and its affiliates join the MFT&SRP in honoring Rollie W. Hopgood as a tireless leader whose energy and spirit inspired and continues to inspire many.
Additonal research shows that Michigan Senate resolution 0189 (2002), sponsored by Chris Dingel, was passed hororing the memory of Rollie W. Hopgood.
Senate Resolution No. 189.
A resolution honoring the memory of Rollie W. Hopgood.
Whereas, Rollie W. Hopgood was the president of the Michigan Federation of Teachers & School Related Personnel.
He served his years with dignity, grace, and with the upmost respect of his colleagues; and
Whereas, As a teacher in Taylor, president of the Taylor Federation of Teachers, and treasurer of the State Board of
Education, Rollie did so much for public education, our students, and those who educate them; and
Whereas, He was affiliated with the Michigan State AFL-CIO Executive Board, the Michigan Democratic Party
Central State, American Association of Retired Persons, and the Americans for International Aid and Adoption; and
Whereas, His warm and caring heart, friendship, and easy-going personality has touched the hearts and lives of
everyone whom he has met; and
Whereas, Those colleagues, friends, and all who had the opportunity to meet Rollie will forever remember this kind
and gentle man who affected the lives of many people; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body join in honoring the life, memory, and service of
Rollie W. Hopgood; and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to his wife Chris as a token of our respect for her husband’s
Search on Google for Rollie Hopgood -Taylor Federation of Teachers, local 1085-Tribute to Rollie Hopgood This is a very nice color video tribute to Rollie!
Gerry Kretschmar (1961)
AFT Resolutions
TRIBUTE TO ROLLIE WILLIAM HOPGOOD, A MAN OF ACTION
Rollie Hopgood, past president of the Michigan Federation of Teachers and School-Related Personnel from 1996 to 2001, passed away March 12, 2002, while in Hawaii with his wife.
Rollie was many things to many people: union leader, teacher, friend, biking enthusiast, advocate and family man. Not only passionate and committed, he was a man of action, a man with a mission, a man who knew no limits when it came to advancing unity, the labor movement, public education and the condition of all public school employees.
Rollie worked tirelessly for the Michigan Federation of Teachers & School-Related Personnel in 1970 and 1971 as a staff representative and again from 1981 to 1996 as administrative assistant to the president. In 1996 he was chosen by the administrative board to replace retiring President Hugh Jarvis. Rollie was then elected and reelected to the presidency in 1997 and 1999.
While president of the Taylor Federation of Teachers, Local 1085, Rollie was able to effectuate collective bargaining rights before the state bargaining law was enacted and lead numerous strikes to secure outstanding contracts.
He served on the Taylor (Mich.) City Council, the state AFL-CIO executive board, was treasurer of the state board of education; he taught art, social studies and physical education in the Taylor school district.
Past President Hopgood retired in June of 2001, with the plan of taking bike trips in various parts of the country with his wife, Chris, yet was active with the newly formed MFT&SRP retirees committee and had plans to actively campaign for his son Hoon-Yung Hopgood in his race for state representative in Michigan's 22nd District.
Mr. Hopgood was known for his big voice and even bigger heart. He laughed loud, lived well and was an inspiration to many.
RESOLVED, that the AFT, AFL-CIO and its affiliates join the MFT&SRP in honoring Rollie W. Hopgood as a tireless leader whose energy and spirit inspired and continues to inspire many.
Additonal research shows that Michigan Senate resolution 0189 (2002), sponsored by Chris Dingel, was passed hororing the memory of Rollie W. Hopgood.
Senate Resolution No. 189.
A resolution honoring the memory of Rollie W. Hopgood.
Whereas, Rollie W. Hopgood was the president of the Michigan Federation of Teachers & School Related Personnel.
He served his years with dignity, grace, and with the upmost respect of his colleagues; and
Whereas, As a teacher in Taylor, president of the Taylor Federation of Teachers, and treasurer of the State Board of
Education, Rollie did so much for public education, our students, and those who educate them; and
Whereas, He was affiliated with the Michigan State AFL-CIO Executive Board, the Michigan Democratic Party
Central State, American Association of Retired Persons, and the Americans for International Aid and Adoption; and
Whereas, His warm and caring heart, friendship, and easy-going personality has touched the hearts and lives of
everyone whom he has met; and
Whereas, Those colleagues, friends, and all who had the opportunity to meet Rollie will forever remember this kind
and gentle man who affected the lives of many people; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body join in honoring the life, memory, and service of
Rollie W. Hopgood; and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to his wife Chris as a token of our respect for her husband’s
commitment and service.
William Martin (1961)
Search on Google for Rollie Hopgood -Taylor Federation of Teachers, local 1085-Tribute to Rollie Hopgood This is a very nice color video tribute to Rollie!
Gerry Kretschmar (1961)
State of Michigan
State Board of Education
RESOLUTION
ROLLIE HOPGOOD
WHEREAS, Rollie Hopgood earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Michigan
University, his Masters Degree in Education Leadership from Eastern Michigan University, and did
additional coursework at Wayne State University and the University of Michigan; and
WHEREAS, during his long career in education, beginning in the Taylor Public Schools in
1962 as an art, social studies, and physical education teacher, he served the children of his district
proudly; and
WHEREAS, from 1965 to 1970, and again from 1977 to 1981, Rollie Hopgood served as
President of the Taylor Federation of Teachers, Local 1085, representing hundreds of teachers in
his district; and
WHEREAS, in 1970 and 1971, and from 1981 to 2001, Rollie Hopgood worked tirelessly for the
Michigan Federation of Teachers and School Related Personnel, serving his final five years as
President; and
WHEREAS, in 1988, Michigan Governor James Blanchard appointed Rollie Hopgood to the
State Board of Education to fill the unexpired term of Carroll Hutton; and
WHEREAS, for 27 months, Rollie Hopgood served as a distinguished member of the State
Board of Education, where he served first as a member, and then eventually named treasurer until
1990; and
WHEREAS, as a lasting testament to his profession, Rollie Hopgood fought for the rights
of teachers and children throughout Michigan, believing that the public schools and public
education were in Michigan’s best long-term interest; and
WHEREAS, the State Board of Education and the Michigan Department of Education were
saddened to hear of the untimely death of Rollie Hopgood on March 12, 2002; now, therefore be
it
RESOLVED, That the Michigan State Board of Education extend to the family of Rollie
Hopgood its deepest sympathies, its highest regard, and heartfelt gratitude for the dedication and
expertise this dedicated teacher and advocate brought to the children, teachers, and citizens of
Michigan; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That the Michigan State Board of Education publicly honor Rollie Hopgood
for his outstanding work on behalf of Michigan’s educators, and hold him up as an example of
dedication and determined advocacy for public education that has truly made a difference for us
all.
___________________________________
Kathleen N. Straus, President
Adopted April 11, 2002
___________________________________
Thomas D. Watkins, Jr., Chairman