Richard Hopping, OD, Former President of the American Optometric Association, Passes Away at 97

ST. LOUIS—The American Optometric Association (AOA) last week announced the passing of Richard Hopping, OD, a former president of the AOA, who died at 97 in Fullerton, Calif., on August 12, 2025. The AOA said Dr. Hopping’s remarkable 72-year cumulative membership in the AOA demonstrated his dedication to the profession and his patients, making him one of its most distinguished leaders in optometry. A tireless advocate for expanding optometry’s scope of practice, Dr. Hopping guided legislative efforts, shaped professional education and inspired generations of practitioners—including his son and grandson, both of whom served as AOA presidents, the announcement said.