Bob Hoeppner died peacefully Oct. 29 at his home in Irvine surrounded by his family. He was 90 years old.
Bob was born March 30, 1932, in Hood River, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he went on to earn a bachelors degree in business at the University of Oregon in Eugene, after which he served in the U.S. Army in the Finance Corps. Returning to Eugene, Bob earned a Masters Degree in guidance counseling.
Before he entered his Masters Degree Program, he met Camille Robertson, of Roseburg, Oregon. They were married in June 1, 1958. They made their first home in Eugene, and two years later moved to Portland, Oregon. Bob taught business and was a counselor at Jefferson High School. The couple moved in 1964 to Costa Mesa, where they had three daughters and Bob worked as Counseling Faculty in the Psychology Division at Orange Coast College.
While working as a counselor Bob was also director of the Transfer Center for several years and, for one year, Associate Dean of Counseling. He was very well-regarded and fondly remembered by both colleagues and students. One student dedicated a text book he authored on neurology to Bob. “He was so supportive of fellow faculty, especially when someone was new to the college”, said one of his former colleagues. He loved meeting people and enjoyed the challenges of helping them.
After 31 years, Bob retired from Orange Coast in 1995 and continued counseling by volunteering at Laguna Shanti, which supports people with HIV and mental health issues, until 2012.
He is survived by his wife, Camille; his three daughters and their families, Laura and Greg Stephens, Robin and Craig Bovberg, and Kathleen and Tim Leavey; five granddaughters, three grandsons and one great grandson.
A private memorial service will be held in January at one of his daughter’s homes . Memorial donations can be made to the Orange Coast College Counseling Division through the OCC Foundation.