Lyle Edmund Hopper, 93, a former director of fluid-milk operations for Bowman Dairy, now Dean Foods Inc., for 44 years, died Tuesday, Oct. 10, of heart and kidney failure in Kenosha Hospital and Medical Center. Born in in Greenwood in McHenry County, Mr. Hopper started entry-level work at a local Bowman plant right out of high school, helping to receive the milk from area dairy farms and preparing it for shipment to city stores. In the 1930s he and his wife moved to Chicago’s Old Irving Park neighborhood, and Mr. Hopper was transferred to oversee three local milk-bottling plants. At one point, Mr. Hopper was president of the Dairy Tech Society, a Chicago-area group that provided support and advice to dairy workers. During his career, Mr. Hopper’s bright-red hair and gregarious good nature earned him the nickname “Uncle Red,” his daughter Dorothe Ann Tavitian recalled. “He was very well-liked. He was very much involved in labor relations issues. He sat in on negotiations and was instrumental in bringing both sides together.” Mr. Hopper did not retire from the dairy business until he was 80. In recent years, the couple moved to Kenosha. Other survivors include his wife, Lillian Jesse; another daughter, E. Jane Bekos; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services will begin at 1 p.m. Friday in St. Mary’s Lutheran Church, 2001 80th St., Kenosha.
