The Southern Argus, 29 April 1880
(South Australia)

Obituary Richard Hooper
The late Mr R. Hooper our readers will perhaps all have heard of the death of Mr Richard Hooper, for the last five and twenty years proprietor and landlord of the well known Terminus Hotel of Strathalbyn. The deceased up to the last three or four months, had enjoyed fair health and on letting his hotel recently to Mr Dockert he and his family looked forward with reasonable hope to many years of quiet domestic felicity in the new and comfortable residence he had just erected. The home had scarcely been finished and furnished when illness came upon him, and after about three months of at times, extreme suffering, he passed away, showing plainly how futile are man's propositions. At the time of the diggings he was one of those who left this colony excited by the gold fever; and being successful there he returned, bought what was then Gollan's Hotel, which for a short time he afterwards let to Mr Gosling. Soon afterward he again resumed possession, pulled down the old premises and erected the present hotel, than which a more comfortable and commodious building is scarcely to be found in Adelaide. He also afterwards added farming to his business and being a quiet, temperate plodding and industrious worker, he was not long before he amassed considerable success; indeed, whatever he took in hand always seemed to turn up "the trump card". He was very unassuming and consequently was not prominently a political enthusiast though he was always interested in seeing the right man in, and justice maintained. Only once, we believe he entered the lists as candidate and in this he was successful, being elected as a district councilor which office he filled to the satisfaction of all. He was one of those who were mainly interested in finding frauds, and erecting the bridge bearing the triume symbol Col-Gol-Hoop. As a friend in all good works, he was liberal, quiet and reliable; and to those in his employ and all who had any dealing with him, he was at all times courteous, affable and considerate. Only a few weeks back he bought some land for his eldest son in the north, and was intending to take a trip there when he was laid low, since which time he has gradually sunk through all professional talent available in Adelaide and elsewhere was worked in his favour and unceasing attention given him by his anxious family and friends. His remains were brought to Strathalbyn on Tuesday last, he having died at his brother-in-law Mr R.L. Lander's residence, at Adelaide on Monday morning. The mournful cortege reached the deceased's late residence at about two o'clock and at three, one of the largest funeral processions ever seen in this district followed the hearse to the Strathalbyn Cemetery, where the last words were spoken by the Rev. J.K. Henderson, and floral wreaths placed on his last earthly resting place in the presence of a great number of sorrowing friends from far and near. He leaves a widow and ten children to mourn their sad loss, besides a large circle of warm friends in the district, by whom personally and as a body also his presence will be greatly missed.
 
(Transcriber's Note: Richard Hooper was baptised at St Mewan on the 12 August 1825.)

Contributed by Sue Boyland