Bobby Hopper, businessman and the longest serving Arkansas Highway Department commissioner, passed away surrounded by family on Friday July 29, 2022, at the age of 89. He was born in Cotter, Arkansas, on December 14, 1932, to William Eatman and Essie Thomas Hopper.
Hopper was appointed to the Arkansas State Highway Commission by then Gov. Bill Clinton in 1983 to fill an unexpired term. He was reappointed by Gov. Clinton to a second term in 1989, for a total of 16 years of service as a commissioner.
“Bobby was a remarkable person – a good man, a great friend, a model citizen and one of the finest and most effective Highway Commissioners ever,” said former president of the United States Bill Clinton in an official statement. “I loved him, and my thoughts and prayers are with Lois, Regina, Robert and all who will miss him. We need more people like him in public life.”
“As someone who loved people, believing in leaving things better than he found them, [Hopper’s dream] was to bring greater and meaningful economic development for the people of the state and for northwest
Arkansas specifically,” states Hopper’s formal obituary. “He knew the region could be a global leader if the transportation system could support it.
“His dream was fulfilled with the opening of what is now I-49 and the dual tunnel, the first of the state, and he was honored when the Highway Commission chose to name it after him. Interstate 49 and its Bobby Hopper Tunnel became the connection point for unprecedented economic expansion, not only in Northwest Arkansas, but throughout the three-state region.”
Lorie Tudor, director of the Arkansas Department of Transportation, said “the Arkansas Department of Transportation and Arkansas Highway Commission members are deeply saddened by the news that the longest serving Highway Commissioner, Bobby Hopper, has passed away.” Tudor added that Bobby’s determination was most evident in the work put forth to make Interstate 49 between Alma and Bella Vista a reality. “Bobby built a legacy of public service, hard work and perseverance in working towards a vision. While we have lost a great friend, a wonderful person, and a dedicated servant of the people, he and his legacy will never be forgotten,” she said.
In addition to the tunnel, Hopper’s name is on the Scheid-Hopper bypass in Mountain Home and the Bobby Hopper Highway in Cotter. Hopper is survived by his wife Lois of Springdale; children Regina Hopper of Alexandria, Virginia and Robert Hopper of Cabot, Arkansas; and his sister Beverly Morton of Mountain Home.
A celebration of life service for Bobby will be held at Roller Funeral Home in Mountain Home on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. It will also be livestreamed on the Roller Funeral Home Mountain Home website.The family requests no flowers. Memorial tributes for Bobby may be made to either Circle of Life Hospice at www.giftstocircle.org or Honor Flight Network www.honorflight.org/donations.
