Robert Hopkins - 2009 Man of the Year

Robert Hopkins was born in Cleveland, Oh On June 6 1960, to Sheldon and Catherine Hopkins. He is the oldest of three children. He has two sisters - both living in the Cleveland area. Bob's father is English, his mother was Slovenian. His grandparents on his mother's side came to the United States from Slovenia in the early 1900's. Bob still has many relatives in Slovenia - specifically, from Borovnica, Pirnice, and Zuzemberk. Ancestors on his father's side can be traced back to the early settlers of America.

Bob's family, after living in the East 185th Street area for one year, decided to move to Parma Heights, where he lived until he purchased a home in Macedonia, Ohio in 1987.

He attended Valley Forge High School, where he graduated with honors in the top 10 of his class of 880 students. As a child, with much encouragement from his mother, he joined the Slovenian Chorus of Circle 77 SNPJ and rehearsed at the Denison Avenue and the West 130th Slovenian Homes.

At the same time Bob wanted to learn to play the drums. At that point in child's life, however, adult reasoning usually prevails. His parents thought a piano accordion was the ticket. Bob took piano accordion lessons for a few years. It wasn't until he was 16 that he realized the button accordion looked like more fun. He learned his first song from his uncle and then took lessons from the late Steve Valencic for one year.

Glasbena Matica was the next stepping-stone in Bob's Slovenian path. He joined in 1976 and sang for two years until, due to his new job at United Parcel Service, he could no longer attend rehearsals. In later years, Bob rejoined Glasbena Matica and actually served as President of the organization for several years. In 1998, Bob was instrumental in organizing a concert with all of the Slovenian singing groups that performed at the SNH along with the Cleveland Women’s Orchestra at the Slovenian National Home with over 900 people in attendance.

After high school, Bob attended Cuyahoga Community College, where he received his Associate of Arts Degree. He then transferred to Cleveland State University, which heattended until1984. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with emphasis on Marketing. Bob worked after school for his father's company - Livsey Equipment Company.

After college. Bob continued in sales at the company. He sold office furniture and shop equipment. One of his proudest accomplishments was designing shelving systems, lockers and racks for over 150 BP Pro Care service stations around the country.

In 1993, Bob took a position at Empire Die Casting Co., Inc. in Cleveland as its Director of Purchasing. Empire is a custom die caster, which was established in 1948 and continues to have a great reputation for manufacturing quality aluminum and zinc die castings. In 2003, Bob was promoted to Director of Administration and later promoted to VP -Sales and Administration. In April of 2008, Bob was promoted to President of the company and manages and supervises over 200 employees.

Sports also have played a big part in Bob's life. He played basketball, football and baseball. His father taught him to play tennis as a youngster and he played in tournaments and in high school. When time allows, Bob enjoys hiking the Metroparks.

Bob was married in 1992 to Geraldine Mills. It was a whirlwind romance. They met in March, were engaged in April and married in October, with well over 500 people in attendance at the reception. Right up to the present day, Gerri was the most intelligent decision he has ever made. Although they have no children, Bob and Gerri enjoy spending time with their many nieces and nephews.

The couple loves to travel. They have been to Slovenia and Europe 10 times. In 1999,

Bob joined the Korotan chorus and traveled to Maribor, Slovenia to sing at a special mass for

the Pope. Over 250,000 people were in attendance with over 2500 people just in the chorus alone! In 2001 and 2003, Bob and Gerri hosted two tours to Slovenia through Kollander Travel with groups of 43 and 53 people respectively. They have been to Aruba, Hawaii and throughout the U.S. and recently returned from a 5-week trip to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Bob hopes to hike to the top of Mt. Triglav in Slovenia for his 50th birthday. He would also still like to travel to China, South Africa, and South America.

In 2007, Bob was the chairperson of the "Cleveland Slovenian Days Celebration" which was a month long group of activities celebrating Slovenia's 15th Anniversary of being an independent country. The Celebration culminated with a concert and display at the Slovenian National Home.

In late 2007, the Consulate General from the Republic of Slovenia and Bob started discussing plans for a potential Slovenian Museum and Archives. The SMA is now progressing nicely and Bob is the President this organization. 

Bob has been a member of the United Slovenian Society, Valley View Men's Club. Glasbena Matica Chorus, Korotan Chorus, Friends of the Slovenian National Home, President of the Federation of Slovenian Homes, President of the Slovenian National Home, Chairperson of Cleveland Slovenian Days, and President of the Slovenian Museum and Archives. He also belongs to S.N.PJ. Lodge 142 Mirni Raj, Catholic Order of Foresters, Slovenian American Heritage Foundation and the Polka Hall of Fame.

It is truly a mission of Bob's, in memory of his late mother, to help keep the largest and most beautiful Slovenian Home in the United States a viable entity for many years to come.

In his spare time Bob enjoys cooking, and is currently attending Slovenian language classes at Lakeland Community College at night. Bob's acquaintances over the years and the friendships that have developed have been the a most rewarding result of his involvement with the Slovenian Community.

He sincerely thanks the Federation of Slovenian Homes for this honor bestowed upon both he and Gerri today.