Family Tribute - Grant Hoeppner, son

I have 3 books here that clearly represent Dad’s life. But here’s the thing ... these three books do not represent compartmentalized segments of Dad’s life. These aspects were this intertwined overlapping network that weaved together throughout his life.  

Book #1.     Griffith (Electronics text book)

Dad started in the hands on world of plumbing with his father in Altona. He also experimented with growing rabbits which I understand was wildly successful. But there was a new venture in town and that was a radio station called CFAM where he and his Dad were involved with doing plumbing work. Dad was interested in the truths of the unseen world of electronics and so he stuck around the radio station and rapidly determined that was a career path for him. 

He loved every aspect of radio broadcasting but especially transmitter sites. Last night I went with John Wall, Ray Henry and Ed Fast to the CJOB transmitter site to just hang out and be where Dad loved to be. 

Words like Dummy Load, Propagation, Impedance, Standing Wave ratio, STL’s became household words in our family. Which leads me to the second book.

Book #2 Family Photo album

If you thought he was passionate about Radio engineering, he was much more in love with his family.

One of the things I admired most about my Dad was the way he loved his wife. My Mom. Marilyn. He was a great Dad to Colleen and myself. Kendra and Mackenzie were very special grandchildren and very loved by him. They had so many wonderful moments together. He instantly accepted Colleen’s husband Dave and my wife Astrida as a part of his family. We were all so loved.

One of the most fun experiences Dad and I had was a trip together to Russia. We got naked and had a 3 hour Banya experience. Thats a Russian Sauna. We even had a chance to go hear the Moscow Symphony Orchestra.

He loved us like crazy and we loved him back. He roped us into his technical world too. I studied at the same school Dad did SAIT. We together with for many years and on many interesting projects. We worked together in places like Boissevain Manitoba, High River Alberta, Bolivia, Paraguay, Ajax Ontario, CJOB here in Winnipeg, Commonwealth of Dominica and on top McKee Peak near Abbotsford BC. That was our last big radio engineering project together and it was a doozie complete with a helicopter lifting the completed transmitter building onto the top of the mountain. This is when I started getting interested in being more involved in the production side of broadcasting. Specifically Video production. 

Book # 3 Bible

This leads me to the 3rd book. His Bible. If you thought Jack was passionate about radio engineering and if you thought Dad loved his family a lot ... well the truth is He recognized the unseen truths of God from a very early age and throughout his life those truths were the foundation for every aspect of his life.

When I was looking for a way to be involved in Christian media outreach through video production, it was Dad who said “Why don’t you talk to Lorlie Barkman at Family Life Network here in Winnipeg” Well one thing lead to another and here I am now working at FLN for the past 10 years doing exactly what Dad loved to do. Working through media to encourage people to seek God. In fact Dad was on the board at FLN for many years previous to my working there.

You see Dad not only learned the truths of how someone can sit in a small talk booth with a microphone and send unseen electromagnetic signals around the world to huge numbers of people sitting by their radios, he also recognized the unseen truths of God. He believed that God created him as a unique person with a special call in his life to live every aspect of his life in a way that not only honored God but also, gave life to people of all kinds. And Dad was great at this. He has left a huge footprint in the lives of many people. And I believe many people have seen God through his life.

I’m sure this is not breaking news to you that Dad was a follower of Jesus Christ and I’m standing here today to say what I really think he would want me to say. And that is to read from his bible my favorite verse from scripture which Dad always pointed me to. Good old John 3:16 & 17

Dad went through life sincerely trusting in Jesus Christ as his rescuer from death. Dad served God in every aspect of his life. He left a great example to us all. And now he does not need to believe any more because he is actually experiencing what he believed in.  

This was not just theory, a crutch or some tradition for him. He saw his faith as the ultimate eternal reality. Right now Jack Hoeppner as a person is not dead. Jack Hoeppner as a person is very much alive, alive and living together with God in Heaven.

Today is not only a celebration of Dad’s life it is another one of those opportunities for each one of us to recognize the truth about who Jesus is and what he is inviting us into. Because that is the meaning of life. I know Dad would want that communicated loud and clear. 

Thank you everyone for your love and encouragement. It is beautiful. I love you Dad. I’ll see you later.