Russell Nicholas Hopko passed away on January 11, 2022, at 100 years of age.  He was born in Auburn, New York on December 19, 1921, and lived in Hampton and Newport News, Virginia for the past 74 years. Russell completed his high school education at Auburn High School, Auburn, New York, and graduated from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York with an engineering degree. He served in the US Army Signal Corps and was a veteran of WWII.  After the military, he worked at NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia and worked as a materials engineer, retiring with 33 years of service. Russell’s passions included chocolate, music, and watching the birds and squirrels in his yard.

Russell was preceded in death by his wife Donna Ecklund Hopko; parents John Hopko and Julia Hopko; brothers John Hopko and Serge Hopko.

He is survived by his children Barbara Hopko Glover, Russell Nicholas Hopko, Jr. (Donna), Janet Hopko Ireland (Jim), and Terrence Matthew Hopko (Pam); 16 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces. The family was most important to Russell and he was a devoted Dad, Grandpa, and Uncle Russ, and treated all friends as extended family.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, January 18 at 3:00 p.m. at Peninsula Memorial Park.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.