Eduard was born to Dr. Julius Wilhelm Bêtaz Höpken and Anne Lukrezia Höpken likely in Germany on September 23, 1887. Eduard had at least one brother; Friederich (Frederico) Höpken who was born April 6, 1889 and died April 8, 1970. Friederich married Alice Regina (nee Michaels) and lived in Brazil for a period of his life.

Eduard married Elisabeth on September 27, 1919 and together they had six children; Gisela, Johann, Walter, Karl, Wilhelm and Peter.

Eduard had a doctoral degree and worked as a Headmaster at a school in Germany. During World War II, he was drafted into the Volkssturmmann, a paramilitary rank of the German Volkssturm and fought against the Russians. He was relieved of duty on July 18 near Göttingen, Germany. It is not known what year he was relieved of duty. Afterwards, he was reinstated as a Headmaster in Hanover, Germany.

Eduard claimed to be a dedicated member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany since the early 1930s. He restored his support for the political party after 1945 and with the conclusion of World War II.

Eduard died on January 21, 1974.