David T. Hopkins, 78, of Bedford died after a brief illness on June 21, 2016.

Mr. Hopkins was born in Cambridge, MA on July 23, 1937, and was the son of the late John and Margaret (Jefferson) Hopkins.

He was raised in Watertown and was a member of the Class of 1956 at Watertown High School.

Following his graduation, he joined the US Navy in August of 1956 and served until June of 1958. He was honorably discharged with a rank of Electrician's Mate Petty Officer Third Class.

After completing his military service, he continued his education at Sylvania Tech and Northeastern University, becoming a Master Electrician. He worked for over 30 years at Interstate Electrical. He made a career change at the age of 53 and completed training as a teacher. He taught Nature Preschool in Bedford and later was employed at Drumlin Farm where he enjoyed working with children and being outdoors. Eventually he returned to electrical control work at Millpore, retiring in 2009.

One of Bedford's original recyclers, he taught his family and others the importance of caring for the environment and spent time cleaning the Shawsheen River, retrieving cans and litter and recycling computer paper from local companies. He was one of the founders of Bedford Citizens' for Environmental Quality. He was very passionate about helping others and giving of his time, including the 15 years he volunteered at the VA Hospital in Bedford.

In 1960, he married the former Elise Cooper in the Lutheran Church in Newton. After their marriage, they lived briefly in Auburndale and Lexington before making Bedford their home in 1968. He had been a longtime member of the Lutheran Church of the Savior and assisted with Elise in volunteering at the Central Food Ministry in Lowell.

He is survived by his wife, Elise, three children, Kimberly Newton of Stoneham, Beth Wry and her husband, Steven, of Norton and Eric Hopkins and his wife, Darlene, of Burlington. He was also blessed with seven grandchildren whose company he cherished, Jeffrey and Jessica Newton, Gregory, Jillian and Bradford Wry and Emily and Evan Hopkins.
He was predeceased by his siblings Thelma Westlake, John Hopkins, Eleanor MacLeod, Richard, Bradford and Carolyn Hopkins.

His funeral service will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Savior, 426 Davis Rd., (Corner of Rt. 62) Bedford, on Monday, June 27, at 11:00 A.M. Visitation will be held at the Bedford Funeral Home, 167 Great Rd., Bedford, on Sunday, June 26, from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Central Food Ministry, Inc., 370 West Sixth St., Lowell, MA 01850.