Dr. Bruce E. Hopkins, educator, author, environmentalist, civil rights activist, artist, avid gardener, and long-distance runner, died peacefully at home on Sept. 18, 2026, in Sioux City, Iowa. He was 85, and despite living with Alzheimer’s disease for more than a decade, he continued writing and drawing in his personal journals about his observations of the natural and manmade world for as long as he was able. As many who knew him well have noted, “Bruce had the keen ability to help you see things in such a way that you’ve never seen before.” A published poet numerous times, he also authored three books: When Foxes Wore Red Vests, Truth in the Rivers, and The Art of Decay, the last foreseeing the inevitability of the cycle of life, ultimately bringing hope and renewal.

Bruce was born on Sept. 3, 1941, in Kingston, New York, and raised in Glenford, which is in the Catskill Mountains, near the Ashokan Reservoir. It was in the Catskills where, at an early age, Bruce developed his love of nature and an understanding of “a sense of place” that later informed all his writings. After moving to the Midwest as an adult, he continued his affinity with the outdoors and remained a lifelong conservationist and supporter of environmental causes. He received his education at Wayne State College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree, and at Montana State University, his master’s degree, and at Iowa State University, his doctorate degree. First and foremost an educator, he started his career as a teacher, and subsequently as an administrator, retiring in 2006 as administrator of the Western Hills Area Education Agency (AEA) 12, in Sioux City. The recipient of countless awards, he was honored by the Loess Hills Prairie Seminar, the Woodbury Conservation Board, and the Farm Crisis Intervention Board, among others. A lifelong runner, he held a marathon record for Iowa when he was in his 40s.

Known for his nature photography and adventurous nature excursions, Bruce’s family and friends, most notably his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, treasured the “outdoors Papa,” fondly remembering summers spent exploring the Loess Hills and Missouri River, and going to the cabins near Dubuque along the Mississippi River.

Beloved by his devoted family, Bruce is survived by his wife Jeanette; his children, Andrea DeGroote, Heidi Hopkins, Heather Fields-Gaes(Keith), and Meghan McClure (Josh); his grandchildren, Taylor Robinson, Haley McClure, Jordan DeGroote, Nico Hopkins, Peyton DeGroote, Mackenzie McClure, Kaden McClure, Chloe McClure, Keegan McClure, Micah Fields, and CJ Sigmund; his great-grandchildren, Bailey, Evie, Luna, Cole, Scarlett, and Wesley; his brother Howard (Candi) and his sister Susie Axon (Harold); his brothers-in-law Marc Embree (Jane Bunnell) and Warren (Anne) Embree; his sisters-in-law Karen Hopkins, Jackie Embree, and Paula Horii, and his many cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand -nephews, with a special thanks to his first cousin Linda Hall Cody. He was predeceased by his former wife Patricia, his parents and grandparents, his brothers Barry and Glen Hopkins, his brothers-in-law Fred Embree and Howard Horii, his sister-in-law Laurie Embree, and his grandson Cole McClure.

Bruce and Jeanette would have been married 33 years on their anniversary in October. They were married at the peak of the fall Snow Geese migration, the first and only couple to be married at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, along the Missouri River.

Condolences to the family may be sent by visiting www.meyerbroschapels.com

Donations in Bruce’s memory may be sent to the Braveheart Music Scholarship fund for lessons at Ray’s Midbell Music, 4230 South Lancelot Lane, Sioux City, IA 51106. The scholarships allow children to take free music lessons in honor of Bruce’s grandson, Cole McClure. Donations may also go to the LAMB Theatre in Sioux City, or to Bruce’s Memorial Bench at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center.

A memorial service will be held later.

We cannot express enough our gratitude to Bruce's Hospice team from St. Croix Hospice. Sherri, John, Nicole and Heather were all a Godsend in the time we were at a crossroads and they paved the way. They loved Bruce and gave him perfect care in these last few months.