Former Boca Raton Mayor Richard “Dick” Orville Huopana died Feb. 3 at Croasdaile Village in Durham, North Carolina. He was 96.
Mr. Huopana was born to Orville Huopana and Lillian (Kinner Huopana) Peters in Endicott, New York. He graduated from Spencer High School in New York and enlisted in the U.S. Army, ultimately serving as an infantry platoon sergeant. He continued to serve his country in the Army Reserves.
Upon completing his active duty, he married Barbara Alice Adams in 1952. The couple welcomed three daughters as he designed and built their family home on Bornt Hill in Endicott.
Mr. Huopana’s college studies included drafting and engineering. He was hired by IBM in Endicott as a draftsman, and rose to the role of senior engineer, specializing in manufacturing engineering in both professional and managerial capacities. In 1967, his career with IBM took him and his family to Boca Raton, where he worked on the inception and launch of IBM’s personal computer product line.
Mr. Huopana became interested in Boca Raton’s local government, initially serving on its Planning and Zoning Board. He became involved in Citizens for Reasonable Growth, a grassroots organization aimed at preserving the town’s environment and controlling its building density. He served on the City Council and was elected mayor of Boca Raton, serving between 1974 and 1977.
He also served on Palm Beach County’s Area Planning Board and on the environmental policy committees of both the Florida League of Cities and the National League of Cities.
Along with raising his family, working at IBM and politics, Mr. Huopana enjoyed golf and handball, and was an avid fan of the Miami Dolphins. He also enjoyed boating, taking his friends and family (often “the Northern visitors”) on fishing trips in his boat.
After a 37-year career at IBM, Mr. Huopana retired in 1987.
In 1988, he and Barbara relocated to North Carolina to be closer to family, which by then included their young grandchildren. He designed and built their home in Hillsborough, North Carolina, where they were active members at St. Matthews Episcopal Church.
An avid and talented writer, Mr. Huopana wrote editorial columns that were regularly published in the Durham Herald Sun and Raleigh News & Observer. The topics were varied, but often focused on government, particularly the federal debt, about which he was very well versed and opinionated.
After Barbara’s death in 1999, Mr. Huopana eventually moved to Croasdaile Village in Durham, in 2008, where he met his future partner, Carol Kirby.
Mr. Huopana is survived by his daughters, Christie Weatherly and Diane Thomas; grandchildren Galen (Caroline), and Chelsea Smith; great-grandchildren; and partner of eight years, Carol Kirby. He was predeceased by his parents; his brother, George Huopana; daughter Patti Huopana; and granddaughter Colleen Weatherly.
The family extend thanks and gratitude to Ms. Kirby for loving and providing companionship to the family patriarch. The family appreciates the support provided by his caregivers at the Croasdaile Village Pavilion during Mr. Huopana’s final months.
A memorial service is being planned by the family. The family can be contacted for details or to share condolences at memorial.huopana@gmail.com.
—Submitted by the family
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