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Obituary
Robert William Hopkins, PhD, 76, passed away in Georgetown, Ontario on Sunday November 12th. He was born in Toronto on April 16, 1947, the son of Robert Chester and Georgiana (Guy) Hopkins of Newfoundland. Husband to Jocelyn, his loving wife of 49 years, proud father to Julia and Robert, and doting Grandpa to Adrianna, he also leaves behind his daughter-in-law, Carrie Hopkins, sister-in-law, Nancy Reason, and brothers-in-law, John Reason and Liam Lacey.
Dr. Hopkins was a neuropsychologist, scientist-practitioner, and mentor to many. A trailblazer and innovator, his was a gentle brilliance. He was a neuropsychologist in the Geriatric Psychiatry program (now Seniors Mental Health) at Providence Care Hospital (formerly Kingston Psychiatric Hospital) for more than 35 years and held an academic appointment as adjunct professor at Queen’s University, Dr. Hopkins’ credits include more than 60 peer-reviewed publications in the area of dementia. He also lectured in the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program at Queen’s University, taught medical residents at the hospital, shepherded 14 students through their thesis projects, and mentored countless numbers of clinical psychology graduate students for their practical rotations. After retiring, he remained active in research with one of his former students until his death. “There are no foolish questions, if it’s something you want to know,” he would often say to his students. Generous with his time and his rich diagnostic/clinical knowledge, his influence has been stamped on the many clinicians who had the good fortune to benefit from his tutelage.
As a researcher, he strongly believed that clinical practice informs research, and that research should then inform clinical practice. That was never so evident as in his and his team’s development of a series of tools for the assessment of cognitive and behavioural changes in Major/Minor Neurocognitive Disorders as well as associated caregiver stress. These tools, known collectively as “The Kingston Scales,” are widely used globally and have been translated into numerous languages (www.kingstonscales.org ). As Director of the Kingston Scales Institute, he was always pleased to receive a request from a clinician or student from another country who was interested in incorporating one of the scales into their clinical or research initiatives. Dr. Hopkins established the first clinical database at the Geriatric Psychiatry Program at Kingston Psychiatric Hospital, which was key to the development of numerous projects, tools and publications for Dr. Hopkins as well as other members of the team.
In the larger community, Dr. Hopkins was the founder and first President of what is now the Alzheimer Society of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington. He also regularly updated the Ontario Dementia Projections document, which identified rates of dementia in individual counties across the province. This resource was invaluable to researchers and used in the development of several key provincial initiatives.
Dr. Hopkins will also be remembered for his numerous hobbies and interests, including orchids, science fiction, red wine, and long stories. He will be sadly missed by his family, professional colleagues, and former students. His legacy will endure.
Interment and a memorial service will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local Alzheimer Society.
April 16 1947
November 12 2023
Death notice for the town of: Georgetown, Province: Ontario
death notice Dr Robert William Hopkins April 16 1947
November 12 2023
obituaries notice Dr Robert William Hopkins April 16 1947
November 12 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Dr Robert William Hopkins April 16 1947
November 12 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
