Robert Hammel "Bob" Kopel
October 18, 1931 ~ May 6, 2026
Robert Hammel (Bob) Kopel, 94, of Colton’s Point, Maryland, peacefully passed away on May 6, 2026, at Taylor Farm Assisted Living, Bushwood, Maryland. Born October 18, 1931, in Washington, DC, he is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jane H. (“Inky”) Kopel. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harry G. Kopel and Elsie Hammel Kopel, his brothers, Harry Kopel and Carl Kopel, and his stepson Richard Hammett.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children Michael (Denise) Kopel of Coltons, Point, MD, Kathleen (Sean) Lachappelle of Spring, TX, Bill (Diane) Hammett of Nashua, NH, Phyllis Hurley of Leonardtown, MD, Peggy (George) Laurel-Thiel of Banning, CA, Raymond (MaryLynn) Hammett of Lusby, MD, Gary (Debbie) Hammett of Lexington Park, Maryland, Keith (Cindy) Hammett of Leonardtown, MD, Pamela (Douglas) Hallgren of Piney Point, MD, and Tracey Hammett of Bushwood, MD; 30 Grandchildren, 54 Great-Grandchildren, and five Great-Great Grandchildren.
Bob attended high school in Washington, DC. After graduation he worked in the family-owned Hammel’s Restaurant in Washington, DC. While living and working in DC., Bob would spend weekends and summers in Colton’s Point, making many friends there. Bob enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and honorably served from 1952 to 1955. In 1960, he and his brother, Carl, opened Kopel’s Marina in Colton’s Point, Maryland. Bob and Carl built their marina from the ground up. They built boats and had a great reputation for quality repair work. In 1999 they retired and sold the marina. At the age of 59 Bob began working as the groundskeeper on St. Clement’s Island. He continued working there for 26 years and often said it was not for the money but because of his love of the island.
Bob was an active member of the community and loved St. Mary’s County. He was a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church and tirelessly worked at church dinners. He was a member of the American Legion, and was a Charter Member and Past President of the Seventh District Optimist Club
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 5:00 PM to
8:00 PM, with Optimists prayers recited at 7:20 PM., followed by prayers recited at 7:30 PM with Deacon Joe Lloyd in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 21340 Colton’s Point Road, Avenue, MD 20609.Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, 23080 Maddox Road, Bushwood, MD. 20618.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Seventh District Optimist Club or to the St. Clement’s Hundred, both to which Bob gave countless hours of service.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com.
Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD
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Inky and the family of Bobby,
My deepest condolences on the loss of Bobby. He as a great asset to the community and we really enjoyed our time with him, and loved visiting with him at the Marina. He, Inky & Karl were always so helpful and it will always be “Kopels Marina” to me.
Prayers to all of you.
Bonnie Cheseldine
Bobby and Inky , 7th district’s best, Bobby was Kind , Generous , Hardworking ,Funny, he is leaving his footsteps all over Coltons Point to keep it beautiful and strong forever. Condolences to his Family and Friends.
Bobby Kopel was a very special friend to myself and my family. I grew up living on Colton Point Maryland most of my life. Worked at the Marina when I was a teen for Bobby and Karl, his brother. Enjoyed being around the water. Worked at St. Clements Island with him also. He was a good friend and kind man. I’m very sad to hear of his passing. May ✝️ God-bless you Bobby and family. I moved to King’s Mountain NC in October of 2026, turn 72 this year, wow how time goes by. ❤️ Love to all back home, Nick Gibson.
He was the best of the best. I’m so glad my kids got to grow up knowing my Granddaddy Bob. I loved the days we canceled homeschool for “clement” weather so that I could get my kids out of the city and down to Clements, MD for a visit with Grandmommy and Granddaddy Bob. He was a kind and generous man who loved his family and community well. I’ll miss him always.