I am brokenhearted to have to announce that our founder, Steve Hopkins (Hopster) passed away suddenly on September 10th. Steve had left instructions with Susan, his wife, to pass the administration of this forum on to me. Steve leaves some mighty big shoes to fill and I will do my best to live up to his faith in me.

There is an obituary in the local paper that can be viewed here:
http://www.legacy.com/TheWesterlySun/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=94828998

There is also a guestbook you can view & sign online. I think it would be nice for our members to pay a small tribute to Steve & his family via this guestbook.

Susan logs on & visits the forum often. Go with God, Steve and may God grant peace to your family.

Mark

wow, that is a shock to hear. My condolence to the family.

Hello Everyone,

This is Sue Hopkins (Steve's wife)

Mark, thank you for posting a thoughtful, kind tribute to Steve.

Steve was one of a kind. I still can't believe he is gone. I have lost a best friend and a partner. I will love him for the rest of my life. I will miss him always. He was my soul mate. The kids have lost a wonderful,loving father. I know his memory lives on in them.

Steve loved BuggyNews and all of the people involved. He loved going to the BuggyBash in Kentucky. He was like a big kid!! Everyone was so kind and friendly to us and the family.

Steve loved his hobbies:buggies,remote control planes, rockets, motorcycles, dirtbikes, you name it!! Keep Steve's memory alive by remembering good times, his love for buggies and his awesome spirit. If I know Steve, he is off in Heaven, riding his buggy at full speed(probably trying to fly a r/c plane at the same time). He could never do just one thing at a time!

I know he watches over us. Thank you all for supporting Steve's site. You are all wonderful. Say a prayer for Steve. I know Mark will do Steve proud.

I Love You Steve(Hopster)

Sue,

My thoughts are with you and your family.

I never had the pleasure of knowing Steve, but certainly have enjoyed the efforts he put into "Buggys" for thousands to enjoy. I am somewhat new in the Buggy World, but have found it fun and rewarding with my family. The heart of this enjoyment goes back to BuggyNews. His efforts had to be increditable.

It appears you did have a relationship you can cherish forever, even though this makes the hurt larger.

I had the pleasure of camping next to Mark at the Bash in Kentucky. Got to know him a little and had some riding time with him. I follow his posts and I also feel he will keep Steve's work going forward.

Wishing you peace in all the fond memories.

Jim

I don't even know what to write here. I am shaking as I type. Steve and I have known each other for so many years, we have spent so many hours speaking on the phone. I met Steve way before Buggy News when he stood up for me on a different forum which got us both thrown off and led Him to the creation of this Wonderful Haven called Buggynews. I read the front page post at least 10 times trying desperatly to find a joke in it. How can this be?

Let me say something about Steve, he was a man who was more driven and devoted then any other man I have met in my life. I said this to him in many a conversation, I even pleaded with him at one point to come work with me. The way he spoke of his wife and Children, the hard work he put into his new home, and the devotion to creating Buggynews, not for money but for the love of the sport are all his legacy.

I will never forget Steve, I considered him a friend and somebody to look up to.

I am sorry if I am rambling here, I am so lost for words. I wish i could change this and I can't.

Sue, my heart is bleeding for you now, I have some idea of the loss you have suffered. Please know that Steve will live on forever in the hearts and thoughts of so many thousands of us here at BN.



Take care everyone and be well.
Stuart Taft

This comes to as a shock to me. I have not had the pleasure of meeting Steve. The sight he has created is a wonderful and helpful tool for everyone. My prayers are with you Sue.

At this time in our life it is easy to give up, but Steve wants this sight to grow and be the best place for people to get and share information, meet new friends, and to have everyone come together for the love of the sport.

love and prosperity to the Hopkins family

WOW.. I don't even know where to begin here... Steve you will be missed. Susan, keep your chin up and remember what I said. Anything or anytime.

Jamie

Sue,my name is James Lee and Steve and I pm ed alot over the years and most of the time it was about you and the kids.I feel like I know you because of all Steve said about you and the kids.I have a big hole in my heart because he is not here.You have been in our prays for a long time and we still be.He was the nicest guy to talk to and he worked so hard.I wish I could say something that would help but I know I can't.If I could help I would.Give all the kids a hug from the old man.James

This is painfully shocking. I haven't been on here in a very long time but received a call today from Stuart Taft with Blade Powersports with this shocking and terrible news.

Buggies would not be where they are today if it weren't for Steve.

Steve was a terrific man and will be terribly missed. My heart aches for his poor family. Steve did everything for them. I feel absolutely awful for the family. I will be praying for them and may God be with them.

John Lethen

Please light a candle in memory of our loved one Steve Hopkins by visiting http://www.stevehopkins.memory-of.com

Hello again,

I hope you don't mind but I copied the pictures that were posted today and put them on the memorial website. They are wonderful! Steve would never let me take pictures of him! I started a memorial page today. I felt I needed to have a way to celebrate his life and accomplishments. He was an incredible guy. As you all new.

I put a few pictures on the site that I had on the computer. I will try to find more. I will try to scan some in as well. If anyone has any other pictures or videos, feel free to contribute. I want to keep his memory alive. It helps me and the kids to see him in pictures and his old videos.

Thank you all for your kind words. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers.

-Sue Hopkins and Family