Raymond F Hopkins, a beloved Swarthmore College professor whose expertise on food policy and hunger helped forge the 1990 U.S. Farm Bill, is being remembered, writes Gary Miles for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Hopkins, 84, died May 23 in Media.

Professor Hopkins was a professor emeritus of political science and is considered a food policy pioneer.

He was a delegate to the United Nations World Food Summit in 1996 and 2002 and supported government’s role in combating hunger.

“The belief that private sector efforts will respond to a reduction of government intervention at local, national and international levels is illusory. The crucial move is more effective government, not less government,” he told worldhunger.org.

Professor Hopkins joined Swarthmore College in 1967 and served as director of the public policy program and three terms as chair of the political science department before retiring in 2007.

The worldwide lecturer, author, and mentor taught classes on international politics, African politics and food policy. He encouraged guest speakers, field work and internships.

The Hopkins International Public Policy Internship at Swarthmore is named in his honor.

“His generosity and love for teaching endeared him to students and colleagues alike,” Swarthmore president Valerie Smith said in a tribute.

Read more about the life of Raymond F Hopkins in The Philadelphia Inqurer.