Renee Hopf

On April 14 Renee Hopf, loving wife and mother of two children passed away at the age of 80.

Renee was born on August 16, 1941, in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania to Bill and Dorothy Rennekamp (Baker). She received a BA degree in education from the University of Southern California in 1963. On September 7, 1963, she married her high school sweetheart Denny Hopf. (Their relationship started when she asked Denny to go to the Sadie Hawkins dance). She was a wonderful elementary school teacher and raised two amazing children, Kristin, and Dennis.

She had a passion for nature and was an excellent writer. She combined these interests in many ways. She was a master gardener and created a showplace garden at their residence in Stone Mountain. She hosted many tours of her garden. She became very interested in Zoo Atlanta and was a docent there. She went on a safari to Africa to Kenya and passed that experience on so many. She and her husband Denny chaired the zoo’s million-dollar party – the “Beastly Feast”. They also chaired the committee that raised funds and designed the statue of the zoo’s favorite citizen – Willy B. That tribute is one of the most photographed stops in Atlanta. Renee and Denny monitored fifteen bluebird boxes on the Smoke Rise country club property, recording the births and keeping the boxes clean. She used her writing skills to write nature – related articles for the neighborhood Smoke Signal newspaper.

Renee Rennekamp was the darling of the Bethel high school class of 1959. She has beautiful red hair, was popular with her classmates and was an excellent student. She was captain of the “Bethettes” drill team. She was a terrific dancer and performed in many recitals and productions. Renee’s family bloodline was strong. Her grandfather, father and brother were owners of Rennekamp Supply Company that sold concrete products to builders. Renee’s mother Dorothy Baker was from a large family many of which were involved in the Jenny Lee Bakery, a Pittsburgh staple. Her aunt Catherine rose through the Democratic political ranks to be the Lieutenant Governor of the state of Pennsylvania with a shot at Governor before her death. Upon her graduation from high school, Renee went to college at the University of Southern California to fulfill her father’s dream. It took a lot of courage to go off 2000 miles away from friends and family. After their marriage in 1963 Renee and Denny spent one semester in married housing at Clemson College in South Carolina. Renee fit right into the southern culture, and all the fraternity boys loved her – as she loved them. After Denny‘s graduation they moved on to the US Air Force where Denny had a four-year ROTC commitment. They were stationed at Carswell AFB in Fort Worth, Texas. There again Renee adjusted and made many friends on the base. Her daughter Kristin was born in Fort Worth. Upon their separation from the service Denny worked as a management consultant for the apparel industry. During the two years the Hopf family lived in Atlanta, Camden South Carolina, Grand Rapids Michigan, and their son Dennis was born before their first assignment in Winnipeg Canada where it was 5 degrees below zero when they arrived.

Renee and family moved to Atlanta in 1970 and Denny began a 30-year career with fellow Clemson classmates in the company Ply Mart. During these years Renée developed lifelong relationships with the Koinonia Sunday school class, The Morning Glories Garden Club, and a close group of friends. Renee was an excellent writer and wrote numerous articles for the local newspaper, the “Smoke Signal.” During that time, they also built their dream home in the Smoke Rise neighborhood. Renee worked closely with the builder to supervise the project. Also during these years, the Hopf’s acquired second homes in Hayesville, North Carolina and Saint Simons Island, Georgia. Renee’s family still vacations to Saint Simons to this day and spends relaxing time at their “Cat Nap” home in North Carolina.
In 2017 the Hopf’s sold their beautiful home and downsized by moving to senior living facility Park Springs adjacent to Stone Mountain.

Renee accomplished all of these things while raising two wonderful children and supporting the family’s five grandchildren who lovingly called her “Nina.” She attended all of their competitions and loved the dance and piano recitals. She supported their games, PTAs, and everything that loving grandparents do.

Renee is preceded in death by her father William, her mother Dorothy, and her brother, Bill Rennekamp. She is survived by her husband Denny, their two children Kristin and Dennis, her daughter-in- law Andrea, her five brothers and sisters Ronnie, David, Nick, Phoebe and Michael. Also, her five grandchildren Joshua, Olivia, Anna, Michael, and Nicholas.

A Memorial Service will be held at Decatur First United Methodist Church at 300 E Ponce De Leon at 11AM on Saturday, April 30.

In Lieu of flowers please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association team Still Renee.
◦ Http: act.Alz.org/goto/stillrenee