In Memory of Monte J Hopper

January 17, 2023

Monte J. Hopper, ASA 1965, MAAA 1969, of Millsboro, DE and formerly of Avon, CT, beloved husband of the late Cynthia R. Hopper, passed away Thursday November 10, 2022, at the age of 84 in Conway, AR after a brief illness. Born in Havana, AR, son of the late Winfred and Georgia (Fox) Hopper Parker, he was raised in AR, graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1959, and earned his master’s degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Iowa in 1961. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.  He served in the AR and MA National Guard from 1961 to 1967, reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. He moved to the Hartford area in 1962 to begin his actuarial career at Connecticut General Life Insurance Company and later worked for Travelers Insurance Company and Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, from which he retired in 1996 after 20 years of service.  He was regarded as a specialist in disability insurance and, prior to his retirement, served on many industry committees and made numerous presentations at actuarial, life insurance and health insurance events.

Monte and Cindy raised their family in Avon, CT where he became active in the community.  He and Cindy were members of the Avon Republican Town Committee.  He was elected to the Avon Board of Education four times, serving a total of 13 years, the last six of which as Chairman.  He also served as a board member, Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Capital Region Education Council.  He served as Chairman of the Land Acquisition Committee of the Avon Land Trust, a board member of the Connecticut Waterfowl Trust where he was a docent at the Sanctuary, a board member of the Avon Historical Society, and Town Constable.  He was also a member of West Avon Congregational Church.  He and Cindy were very active for many years in Avon Dollars for Scholars where they established an endowed scholarship in memory of their daughter Jill after her death.

In 2015, he and Cindy moved to a wonderful community in Millsboro, DE where he remained active after her death.  Monte leaves behind countless friends from time spent in Avon, Millsboro, Mountain View, AR, and Venice, FL.

Publications for Monte include Hartford Courant, Valley Press (Simsbury, CT), Cape Gazette (Lewes, DE), Yell County Record (Danville, AR), Arkansas Democrat Gazette, and The Courier (Russellville, Arkansas)

Monte leaves his son Derek R. Hopper (Victoria) of Ambler, PA; cherished grandchildren Alexandra, Matthew, and Michael Hopper; and his brother George W. Hopper of Plainview, AR. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by wife Cynthia (Richmond) Hopper, his beloved daughter Jill A. Hopper, and his brother William L. Hopper.

Contributions may be made to the Monte & Cindy Hopper Scholarship, c/o Avon Dollars for Scholars, PO Box 702, Avon, CT. 06001.