Hans Hopstaken Passes Away
Hans Hopstaken Passes Away
Sad news reported from Douglas F. Cancel, D.C., 2001 NPC Masters Nationals Heavyweight Champion, Over 40 Division; Brian Whelan, Foothill Gym; and others.
IFBB Pro Bodybuilder, Hans Hopstaken, passed away on Friday, April 12, 2002, in a Southern California hospital as a result of an unspecified heart condition, or pnuemonia. He was born on January 25, 1957.
I first met Hans at the 1998 Masters National Bodybuilding Championships where we both competed in the Over 40 Heavyweight Division. We had been friends ever since. Hans earned his IFBB Pro Card the following year by winning the Overall Masters National Bodybuilding Championship. Hans subsequently competed in the 2000 and 2001 Masters Olympia along with bodybuilding legends Vince Taylor and Robby Robinson, placing in the top five in each of these contests. Hans was known throughout bodybuilding circles for his ripped physical condition.
In fact, a picture of Hans is featured on the cover of the book, "Bodyopus" by the late bodybuilding writer/guru Dan Duchaine. Hans attained bodybuilding success from very humble beginnings as a result of extraordinarily hard, focused training as well as meticulous planning and perserverence. I and many others who new Hans will miss him greatly.
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From Brian Whelan, of Foothill Gym in Monrovia. It is with a heavy heart and the greatest of sadness that I must inform you of the loss of Hans Hopstaken, our Beloved friend and one of the most respected people to have graced our lives.
He passed away peacefully on Friday 4/12/02 at 2pm in Mount Saint Tereseta Hospital. He is now at peace after a hard fought battle with a heart condition.
As he did in life, he showed grace, dignity and pride throughout his ordeal. He understood greater than most the meaning of loyalty and respect, discipline and hard work, love and compassion.
I know he would wish you to honor his memory by living your lives to the fullest. And when your tears have been shed, smile and say a thank you to him for being, and continuing to be, such a wonderful part of our world.
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According to friends, Hans was taken to the hospital about six weeks ago due to congestive heart problems. Both of his parents passed away from heart problems. He was in the hospital for a while, and was recovering, and was released. Last Saturday, Hans developed a cold, which then turned into pnuemonia. On Thursday evening, he has not doing well, his blood pressure even going as low as 40 over 10, and the doctors had to revive him. Friday, April 12, around 2pm, Hans was in a coma, and passed away.
His girlfriend Lisa is devestated and we all wish her the best, as well as Lisa's daughter, Madison.
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A celebration of his life will take place on Saturday, April 20th at 3pm. It will be held at Eisenhower Park in Arcadia, California, which is located at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Colorado Blvd. Arcadia is about 10 miles away from Los Angeles or Pasadena.
:angel: :angel: :angel: :hello:
