Beloved former teacher and author named as victim in crash
The victim of Wednesday morning’s tragic traffic crash has been identified as James Lee Hopp, 66 of Rogers City. Hopp, the driver of a vehicle traveling on US-23 near 40-Mile Point collided with a loaded semi truck driven by Duane Robert Tulgestke, 49, from Rogers City just after 9 a.m. Sept. 9. Tulgestke was transported to Alpena Regional Hospital with unknown injuries.
According to a release from the Presque Isle County Sheriff’s Department, Hopp’s vehicle “was traveling south on US-23 when it crossed the centerline and struck the semi truck.” Hopp was pronounced dead on the scene.
US-23 was closed for 12 hours while crews worked at the scene. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the accident and the accident remains under investigation.
Michigan State Police motor carrier, the Rogers City Fire Department, Rogers City Ambulance, Sheriff Department deputies and the Rogers City Police Department, assisted Presque Isle County accident investigator Sgt. Chris Flewelling on the scene.
JIM HOPP, BELOVED high school teacher for 31 years at Rogers City High School, was the author of several books, including his most recent “Jewel by the Sweetwater Sea,” published in 2013. His writings reflected his love for his hometown and his writings inspired others.
As he said in the forward to “Jewel by the Sweetwater Sea,” he knew the value of living in a small town and he loved the place he called home.
“Ideally this history will enable the reader to admire the essence of a town many Americans would proudly call home, whose glorious, cloud-tinged sunrises and moon glows rival any in the world, where you can casually walk along the beach at Lakeside Park and ignore life’s barbaric yawp, while enjoying the glorious roar of Lake Huron’s splendid surf,” Hopp wrote.
His other books included “Maidez! Tragedy at Sea” (the sinking of the Carl D. Bradley),“ a later expanded edition of the Bradley and Cedarville shipwrecks); “Echoes from the Sunrise Side”and “Execution 13”. He collaborated on other books of history about Rogers City.
HOPP HAD A great impact on his students, including his former student, who is now an author himself, Charlie Bunton. Bunton had Hopp as a teacher from 1994-1997.
“He was one of the most supportive people I have ever met. Not just to me, but to anyone who knew him. He impacted lives, far beyond the reaches of the classroom. When I published my first book, he was the first person to offer his congratulations. Little did he know, he was the inspiration to write it in the first place,” Bunton said.
Bunton’s book “Rogers City, a history of the Nautical City” was published in 2013.
Jim Hopp was born Sept. 5, 1949 in Alpena. He is a 1967 graduate of Rogers City High School, attended Alpena Community College, and graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in education. He took advanced studies at Marygrove College, Michigan State University and The University of Michigan.
Jim, along with his brothers, worked for several years at Hopp’s Standard Service, once operated by his father at the corner of Third and Erie Streets in Rogers City.
He is survived by his parents, Carroll and Helen Hopp of Rogers City; his brothers Jeffrey of Rogers City and Neil (Linda) of Mt. Pleasant; sisters Carole Ann of Rogers City and Christine of Gaylord; several nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was preceeded in death by a brother,
He retired from Rogers City High School in 2005 after 31 years as a teacher. For many years he served as yearbook and journalism advisor while also teaching English and history classes.
In 1988 he won an NBC National Teaching Award for excellence in journalism education, and he was honored as Rogers City Teacher of the Year in 1990.
HIS FAMILY WILL host a celebration of James’ life on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. at the Beck Funeral Home, Rogers City. Visitation will commence at 1 p.m.
Please, in lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Presque Isle District Library and/or the Presque Isle County Historical Museum.