By Deborah Larsen
Lawrence Edward Hopp
Lawrence Edward Hopp was born in Rochester, Michigan, on January 2, 1923, the son of Albert and Viola Deming Hopp. Lawrence attended Rochester High School and graduated in the class of 1941. After high school, he was an apprentice toolmaker at Ford Motor Company’s Willow Run plant.
In November 1942, Lawrence enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 1599th Ordnance Supply & Maintenance Company, which was attached to the Army Air Forces. His unit was stationed near the village of Honington in Suffolk, England, and Lawrence made repairs, adjustments, and inspections of the armaments on the P-51 “Mustang” fighter planes. He was released from military service in October 1945 after spending more than two years overseas.
After the war, Lawrence married and started a family. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1947 and retired at the rank of major in 1964. He then worked as an inventory control specialist at National Twist Drill & Tool Company in Avon Township. Lawrence also served his community as a member of the Rochester Planning Commission and the Rochester Area Beautification Council.
Lawrence Edward Hopp died at age 86 on February 21, 2009.