Van Hopkins, the man who pioneered BBC local radio commentary of rugby union, has died at the age of 89.
Van was BBC Radio Leicester's commentator on the Tigers from the station's inception in 1967 until he retired in 1987.
Former Tigers fly-half Bleddyn Jones, who followed him on the commentary team, said: "He was a great man and a father figure to me and he still came to Welford Road for matches.
"Van was the voice of local radio rugby reporting for over 20 years. He had a wonderful voice and was a master of the English language. The words 'Kenney's over' are still remembered by Tigers fans of a certain age."
Van Hopkins was born in South Wales in September 1917. He attended Reading University and played for them as a centre or full-back. After graduating, he served in the Army during World War II in India and Burma.
He moved to Leicester in his career as a teacher and worked at Moat Boys Secondary Modern in Highfields before becoming headmaster at the Lancaster Boys School in Knighton.
Van served as secretary and president of the Leicestershire Schools RFU and ran the line in an England-Wales schoolboy international at Twickenham.
In the mid-1960s he joined the committee at Leicester Tigers, becoming social secretary and going on to organise the club's centenary dinner at De Montfort Hall in 1980.
Van became Radio Leicester's Tigers commentator in 1967, providing a rich Welsh burr to life at Welford Road and around the rugby circuit. His commentary of the 1979 John Player Cup Final win over Moseley will never be forgotten, particularly that of Steve Kenney's last-minute winning try.
He lived in Rowley Fields for much of his life, continuing to be active in his last years and died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday evening. Van leaves a widow Nancy, a son Alun and daughter Sheila.
BBC Radio Leicester plans a special tribute programme to be broadcast over the Easter bank holiday period.
Kate Squire, managing editor of BBC Radio Leicester, said: "Van was an inspirational broadcaster, a founder of local radio sport and a true professional whose passion for the Tigers was infectious. We will all miss him."
Van was BBC Radio Leicester's commentator on the Tigers from the station's inception in 1967 until he retired in 1987.
Former Tigers fly-half Bleddyn Jones, who followed him on the commentary team, said: "He was a great man and a father figure to me and he still came to Welford Road for matches.
"Van was the voice of local radio rugby reporting for over 20 years. He had a wonderful voice and was a master of the English language. The words 'Kenney's over' are still remembered by Tigers fans of a certain age."
Van Hopkins was born in South Wales in September 1917. He attended Reading University and played for them as a centre or full-back. After graduating, he served in the Army during World War II in India and Burma.
He moved to Leicester in his career as a teacher and worked at Moat Boys Secondary Modern in Highfields before becoming headmaster at the Lancaster Boys School in Knighton.
Van served as secretary and president of the Leicestershire Schools RFU and ran the line in an England-Wales schoolboy international at Twickenham.
In the mid-1960s he joined the committee at Leicester Tigers, becoming social secretary and going on to organise the club's centenary dinner at De Montfort Hall in 1980.
Van became Radio Leicester's Tigers commentator in 1967, providing a rich Welsh burr to life at Welford Road and around the rugby circuit. His commentary of the 1979 John Player Cup Final win over Moseley will never be forgotten, particularly that of Steve Kenney's last-minute winning try.
He lived in Rowley Fields for much of his life, continuing to be active in his last years and died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday evening. Van leaves a widow Nancy, a son Alun and daughter Sheila.
BBC Radio Leicester plans a special tribute programme to be broadcast over the Easter bank holiday period.
Kate Squire, managing editor of BBC Radio Leicester, said: "Van was an inspirational broadcaster, a founder of local radio sport and a true professional whose passion for the Tigers was infectious. We will all miss him."
