Owen Hopkins Rocks!
"Use your wits."
That’s what my dad, Owen Hopkins, used to tell me every morning when he dropped me off at school. Fourteen years after his passing, his words still echo in my head—and now, in my kids' ears. Every morning, I send them off with my own version:
"Use your wits and fill some buckets."
That last part comes from a beautiful children's book, Have You Filled a Bucket Today?—a timeless lesson in kindness, energy, and shared happiness. Highly recommend.
What’s the daily send-off you give your kids—or yourself?
Posting this in honor of Owen Hopkins Rock’s Day—my dad, who always reminded me to be curious, ask questions, and, well, "use your head for more than just a hat rack!"
Owen Hopkins Rocks Day
After a 35-year career as a petroleum geologist—beginning with Chevron in New Orleans and later co-founding Suemaur Exploration and Production—he retired from active management in 2005 to pursue his true passion: showing the world that science is fun!
As President of the Corpus Christi Geological Society, he launched a three-part initiative—Maps in Schools, Bones in Schools, and Boulders in Schools—placing hundreds of geological maps and Ice Age-themed educational materials into classrooms nationwide. His vision also helped create the Solar System model along the Corpus Christi seawall and inspired countless star-gazing nights, always reminding us to look up. His passion for learning and exploration lives on through these projects and in the paleo-dig exhibit at the Texas State Aquarium, named in his honor.
I recently found a few articles about his impact, which I’ve linked here. It felt right to share them here, not just as a tribute, but as a digital keepsake for my family to look back on. And what better place to do that than on Substack?
Happy Owen Hopkins Rocks Day, Dad. Your curiosity, generosity, and love for adventure still echo through all of us.
He was an early YouTuber!
If my dad were still around, he’d 100% be a science TikTok star. He was always ahead of the curve on all things nerdy and tech. From an Apple IIe in my room as a summer treat in the ‘80s to experimenting with the internet with our friends across the street in the ‘90s, to being first in line for the original iPhone—he was that guy. By the mid-2000s, he was proudly telling everyone about the sixteen astronomy apps on his phone.
And then I found this gem—an email from September 1, 2006:
"I just heard about YouTube this week—went to the site where they put Mentos candies into 2-liter Diet Cokes, and they 'explode' for a long time instantly."
Classic Dad.
No surprise, in 2009, he started his own YouTube Channel to share science with kids, and to provide a resource to teachers.
CC Geology YouTube Channel
A final universe wink
February 26 also marks my mom’s sobriety anniversary. She is 33 years sober today! I love that this day gives me the chance to celebrate both of my parents—for being amazing, brave, and beautiful people.
As I sign off on this special day, I’ll leave you with the Serenity Prayer—a reminder that while my dad is gone, and I can’t change that, I have grown and will continue to grow from that experience. Those of us still here have important work to do: to love and celebrate each other.
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference."
Thank you, momma, for bringing this prayer into my life.
A gift that keeps on giving.
