Matthew Hopper

Matthew Hopper might only have been a freshman, but in just his few months at the UA, his endless energy and love for a good time made him someone everyone wanted to be around.

Hopper, a criminal justice freshman, died Sunday, Aug. 31 at University Medical Center from an apparent tear in his aorta, said his father, Herbert Hopper.

Matthew Hopper grew up in a military family and moved from one state to another before his family settled down in Snowflake, Ariz., where they live today.

"In his short life he got to pick from the table of life," his father said. "He got to try a little of everything."

In June, Hopper participated in New Start, a seven-week program where students live in a residence hall to get adjusted to college life, while taking a college level class.

Hopper's New Start English 101 teacher, Jason Thompson, said Matt was a bright student.

"He did very well in the class," Thompson said.

Hopper often stayed after class to talk with his teacher about trucks and motorcycles, Thompson said.

It could be the middle of the night, and he would want to go running though the sprinklers at Old Main. - Maria Anaya psychology freshman

"He wasn't trying to suck up," Thompson said. "He was just such a real and promising student."

Other students described Hopper as a jokester, even if it was at his own expense.

"It seemed like almost everything that came out of his mouth was a joke," said Ayesha Hag, a business management freshman. "He was constantly trying to make someone else laugh."

Matthew's family describes him as a person who would have succeeded in anything he tried.

"He was always looking for people to talk to and hang out with," said Jessica Singer, resident assistant advisor at New Start and sophomore majoring in Spanish. "He was so easy going."

New Start students remember Hopper as being spontaneous, always with a desire to be in the center of things.

"It could be the middle of the night, and he would want to go running through the sprinklers at Old Main," said Maria Anaya, a psychology freshman.

He was always available and very trustworthy, said Rachelle Estrada, an engineering management freshman.

"We always stayed up late watching movies and talking," Anaya said.

He also loved to drive his brother's Jeep Wrangler and hit up the Tucson party scene.

Just one week ago, Hopper was in his usual element, a party.

"We talked for awhile," said Estrada. "He looked like he was having a lot of fun because so many of his friends were there."

Around 25 New Start students gathered in front of Yavapai, their summer residence hall, on Wednesday to speak of the good times and the memories they have of Matt.

"He was a part of us, we were family," Singer said. "New Start wouldn't have been the same without him."

Many of Hopper's friends will drive more than four hours to his memorial service in Snowflake tomorrow.

"You can't just say you knew of him," Estrada said. "He was like a family member to so many of us."

Hopper is survived by his mother, Rose, his father, Herbert, and his two brothers, Andrew and Elliot.