I always said my Dad, Gail A. Hopson, was the smartest man alive. Now, sixteen years after he passed away, I still believe that was true. He had a thirst for knowledge and read every book he could get his hands on. In his final days, as he sat alone…

My wife Lisa and I lost our best friend today, Alfie, a five pound chocolate brown chihuahua who has been our constant companion for the past 17–1/2 years. Born in southern California, Alfie moved with us to Chicago where Lisa and I were married in 2006. …

“I don’t know if I’d want a chance to do life over again. I don’t know if I’d do as well. I’ve tried to live above pretense and sham. For you know, I have to live with myself. So I want to be fit for myself to know.” I recently…

My Grandpa, Lloyd Harness, Sr., was like a second father to me. He was the adult figure I was closest to after my parents. He talked to me like a grown-up. He took time to explain things. I loved him as deeply as I loved my mom and dad. Grandpa had a stroke at age 61 when I was 16. He was normally an upbeat, positive person, but when I visited him at the hospital he was so depressed it distressed me. He was paralyzed on one side. The doctors said he could be rehabilitated. When I tried to…

Interviewed and recorded by Jesse Thomas Rich, grandson, July, 2007 just one month before Gail passed away. Transcribed by Barbara Rich, Gail’s daughter. Edited by Andy Hopson, his son.(Listen to the interview here.) “Time went by. It’s unbelievable how fast it went by.” I started to write my life story…

Patrice Tanaka, Founder & Chief Joy Officer of Joyful Planet LLC, interviews people who are actively living their purpose and contributing to a more joyful planet. This interview spotlights Andy Hopson, Executive Director, The Agency at the University of Florida. NOTE: This interview with public relations guru Patrice Tanaka was…

(Recounted by Andy Hopson from his mother Betty’s Notes) On a rainy day in 1934, Lloyd and Lillian Harness loaded up their crank-start Ford pickup with their two children, four-year-old Lloyd Jr. and 15-month old Betty. The mood was solemn as Lillian’s parents, Granny and Grandpa Hayes, saw them off…

Today it was announced I’m leaving The Agency at the University of Florida. For the past 4–1/2 years I had the distinct honor of leading and building a new kind of strategic communication agency, one led by professionals and staffed by what has grown to become a team of 120…

“Old man take a look at yourself. I’m a lot like you were.” — Neil Young With a birthday coming up tomorrow, I’ve been pondering my own mortality. I’ll be 63. In just two more years, I’ll be elderly as defined by demographers. The good news is if I make…