Texas-based philanthropist, educator featured in a documentary on life still teaching at 80+
By Tim Schrag '12
K-State Alumni Association
Even at 81 years old Bob Hopkins ’69 likes to stay busy.
Hopkins, a philanthropist, fundraiser and educator based in Dallas, Texas, has written two books: Philanthropy Understood and Philanthropy Misunderstood.
He teaches speech, communications and public speaking and social entrepreneurship at several colleges and universities in the Dallas area. The courses teach the basics of public speaking but with a bend that focuses on giving back and explaining philanthropy to his students.
Hopkins owns horses and has several on his property. Hopkins even hosts a podcast on horseback.
He often greets people by saying, “I want to know what you do and why you do it.”
Each day begins bright and early, but the goal is always to do something for others.
“I just wake up in the morning with ideas and I can't sleep because I've got so much stuff going on,” he said.
“I knew I was always going to be a volunteer,” he said. “My mother started me out when I was five years old delivering groceries to poor people with her. I knew that was the thing to do. Whenever I did a good thing like that my mother would pat me on the head saying, ‘You did good today, Bobby.’ I wasn't always good, but I've always been a volunteer.”
Hopkins excelled in debate at school growing up in Garden City, Kansas. He would attend the University of Kansas for undergraduate work before enrolling at Kansas State University to earn a master’s degree in communication studies. At K-State he taught public speaking courses as a graduate assistant under Professor Norma Bunton.
“I had a great time at K-State,” he said. "Then I went into the nonprofit sector for about 40 years.”
Hopkins ran several nonprofit organizations and later a magazine called Philanthropy in Texas, but he said teaching speech has always been a passion near and dear to his heart.
“That’s what keeps me going,” Hopkins said. “I've got to stay one step ahead of them in thought, in action and in the classroom. I don't know where it comes from but I just love it and I can't wait to see who's going to be in my classes next.”
Late last year, Hopkins was featured in a documentary chronicling his life called Mighty Eighty. The film examines his achievements and offers a nuanced and humorous perspective into his life.
“I own who I am and I guess that's the thing,” he said. “But the message of this whole thing is philanthropy and it's ‘do you have a purpose and what are you doing with your life?’ and so it's a good message and people like the message.”