Tributes have been paid to a well-known historian who has helped thousands of people with his expert knowledge of the area.
Graham Hopner, who was in his 70s, was a well-known face at Dumbarton Library, and many years before that at Alexandria, Ladyton and Balloch libraries.
Friend and former colleague Arthur Jones led tributes this week.
He said: “I have known Graham since 1975. He came to our local area in 1973 from Birkenhead, where he was born.
"After some years in branch management positions, he threw himself enthusiastically into the work of the local studies department where he helped countless people over the years with their local and family history interests.
“A one-time youth worker locally, Graham was also an active member of the Vale of Leven Cricket Club.
“Perhaps not many knew, but Graham was quite the linguist, being fluent in French and German, and for a while he even taught a night-school class in elementary Italian.
“Graham was a widower, having lost his wife Barbara some years ago. I well remember attending the wedding of his lovely daughter, Zoe to her Sikh husband. They gave Graham two young boy grandchildren.
“Colleagues and friends will remember Graham as intelligent, thoughtful, spiritual, very knowledgeable and not least as a lovable eccentric.
“He was the kind of person who always thought the best of people.”
Mr Hopner also co-authored a number of books about the area.
The Vale of Leven History project shared their sadness at the news and told how they owe “a considerable debt of gratitude” to Mr Hopner.
They said: “Sources such as photographs, documents and his own hand-written notes were always readily provided and he was always available for advice on how to pursue a whole range of research topics and give information on virtually any aspect of local history.
"He was one of nature’s gentlemen and is sadly missed.”
