September 15, 1943 – February 21, 2025
David Stephen Prince Hopkins, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away in an ocean accident at Hapuna Beach, Hawaii, on February 21, 2025. He was born on September 15, 1943, in Pasadena, CA. David attended Harvard College and earned a PhD in Operations Research and an MS in Statistics from Stanford University.
He shared the prestigious Lanchester Prize for his doctoral work and went on to improve clinical operations as a part of Stanford Hospital’s leadership team. Later, he served in senior roles at the Pacific Business Group on Health, advising on healthcare performance and national policy. In retirement, he mentored fellows and researchers at Stanford’s Clinical Excellence Research Center. David was deeply committed to community service and a passionate, longtime supporter of Planned Parenthood.
He was a devoted husband to Rosemary Pusey Hopkins, a loving father to Susan Green, Michelle Chamberlain, Julie Hopkins Hamilton, and Dave Hopkins, and proud grandfather of 11. He and Rosemary loved traveling and spending time with family. A Celebration of Life will be held on June 21, 2025, in Palo Alto, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Planned Parenthood Mar Monte.
Dr. David Hopkins served as mentor and advisor to fellows at Stanford’s Clinical Excellence Research Center. It was my great fortune to be a fellow at CERC during 2011-2013 and to meet this gracious, generous, wise, and intelligent human being. David supported my cohort of fellows, sharing his time and seasoned insight, and to his credit remained in contact and supportive more than a decade later. David Hopkins lives on in our hearts and memories and in his good deeds that touched many lives.
David was an avid tennis player. He and Rosemary were regulars at the Palo Alto Tennis Club on Sundays, and in that “other life” was always of good forehand, and good cheer. He is very much missed.
yes. David was always fun to play with and a true gentleman on, and apparently off, the courts. My heart goes out to rosemary and their family.
I only knew David briefly and recently when I played tennis with him and Rosemary. I noted what a gentleman he was and what a nice couple he and Rosemary were.
I knew David in our summer community in Seal Harbor, Maine, and will miss his friendliness, kindness, good humor, and good sportsmanship on the tennis court especially. Despite the passing years, we had an annual singles tennis match each summer, with no stakes but fun. He and Missy were inseparable and I send my condolences to her and the children.
I knew David from years of tennis – great sportsmanship, good sense of humor, positive energy; a gentleman with a good heart…and a golden couple with Rosemary. My deep condolences to Rosemary and their family.