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HOOPER -- Richard Hooper, a local Albuquerque artist, passed away on May 14, 2011. Richard was born February 27, 1934, and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended the University of Georgia where he studied Geology, and served in the United States Navy for two years. He worked in Atlanta as a Porsche mechanic for 33 years. He enjoyed a great love of automobiles and auto racing all his life. In 1996, Richard relocated to Albuquerque where he began working as a tinsmith. As he developed his art, he began creating award-winning pieces of tinwork. His awards included numerous first place ribbons from the New Mexico State Fair, including a Best of Show ribbon. His most outstanding accomplishment came just before his passing was a chandelier of his tinwork was accepted by the National Hispanic Center, Tey Marianna Nunn, PhD., was quoted as saying upon Richard's passing that "New Mexico has lost a great artist". Richard's other interests included playing the classical piano, and upon relocating to the Southwest he began playing the Native American flute. He began taking lessons at the age of seventy-two for the classical guitar. Richard leaves behind his loving wife of 49 years, Grace; his niece, Suzanne Denton Hoppe of Atlanta; two nephews, Jim Denton and John Denton; a great-grandnephew, Eric Hoppe and a great-grandniece, Missouri Hoppe. Richard was a loving, kind and helpful friend to numerous friends in Atlanta and Albuquerque. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that a donation be made to the American Cancer Society or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Please visit our online guestbook for Richard at RememberTheirStory.com. FRENCH 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 275-3500
        Published on: Sun May 22, 2011