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Dave Cooper
April 29, 1943 - March 1, 2017
David Clayton Cooper passed away on March 1, 2017 at the age of 73 at his home in Hilton Head Island, SC after a 2 month struggle against an aggressive brain cancer.
Dave was born on April 29, 1943 in West Los Angeles, CA to Virginia Cobb Cooper and Clayton Cooper, while Clayton was serving in Europe in WWII.
After growing up in Marshalltown, Iowa, Dave graduated from Lawrence University in Wisconsin and went on to earn a PhD at the University of Texas at Austin, Institute of Marine Biology.
David began his career at the State University of New York in Binghampton as an associate professor of biology. He went on to work for the Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, OH and Duxbury, MA. After serving as managing director at Battelle for a number of years, he was then Vice President of Briggs & Associates specializing in environmental engineering. Before retiring in 1998, Dave managed the Strategic Envirotechnology Partnership program at the University of Massachusetts.
David was a "people person" and collected friends as he moved from place to place, including Savannah, GA and ultimately Hilton Head Island, SC. He had a wide range of interests. He often reminisced about his upbringing in Marshalltown where he was on the swimming and tennis teams and enjoyed pheasant hunting with his grandfather. David was an avid tennis player throughout his life.
He also enjoyed mentoring students in Jr. Achievement, judging science fairs, and acting as a lay leader at Messiah Lutheran Church in Savannah. He traveled extensively around the world, and renewed his interest in aviation and fishing with the Bell family. He was a wise counselor to many late in life.
He is survived by his daughter Karen Cox and husband Jon and their children, Jonathan (14) and Colby (11) of Carlisle, PA. He is also survived by brother, Steve Cooper and his wife Cathy Brown of Newport Beach, CA. Dave also leaves behind his loving partner, Diane Bell and her family; Brian, Jennifer, Brendan, Kaitlyn, Matthew, and Caroline of Hilton Head Island, SC.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, optional donations in the name of David Cooper can be made to the Heifer Foundation www.heiferfoundation.org or to the Hilton Head Humane Association www.hhhumane.org.
A Memorial Service will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church of Hilton Head Island on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 2:00 PM with a reception at the church to follow.
The Island Funeral Home and Crematory.
Dave and Diane at our 50th class reunion
Dave with the Heifer Project in Tanzania
Dave with the Heifer Project in Tanzania
Dave with the Heifer Project in Tanzania
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Dave with Karen Glans and Don Anderson
at our 55th class reunion
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Winton Boyd
Saddened to hear of the passing of a twelve year classmate, teammate and all-round nice guy. Had planned to look up Dave on Hilton Head last fall, but we were interrupted by hurricane Matthew. My condolences to his family.
Marilyn Thomas (Mathews)
David Cooper and I have been classmates since Kindergarten. I'm so sorry to learn of David's passing. I was so glad we were able to visit at the 50 year reunion. My deepest sympathy and love to his family. Marilyn Thomas Mathews
Sue Whitcombe (Smalling)
So sorry to hear that the world has lost another really good person. Dave was a friend through school and we braved a synchronized swimming performance together one year. We had not kept in touch except through some reunions but as I read his obituaty, I am not surprised at all he had done and was doing. He was a solid, good person in this world. I grieve for his family who has lost a dear person. I will have keep fond memories of him. Loved his fun smile.
Sue Whitcombe Smalling
Judy Hoffman (Cowan)
I am so sad to hear about Dave's recent illness and untimely death. He was a great guy and I enjoyed visiting with him at the reunion. My deepest sympathy to his family.
Susan Jeffries (Weldon)
Dave's untimely passing is so sad. He was the boy in the house next door during our twelve years of Marshalltown schooling. In fifth grade I learned he could sit down at a piano and play by ear. I was sooo envious!! His career in the natural sciences was no surprise to me as I remembered his home coop of homing pigeons and weird tumbling pigeons. We have lost a great classmate. Susan
Bucky (Glenn) Eige
Dave I will always remember the good times we had growing up together.Rogers memories,boy scouts
Racing around on our bikes.We lost touch over the years but I will treasure your memory
Bucky
Cindy Cooper (Worsley)
I am so sad to know that Dave passed. He, his life partner, Diane, and I had become good friends over the last few years. When my brother passed away last year, Dave became my brother. (we had always teased about that when we sat next to each other through many high school classes) and we had many political arguments just as my blood brother and I used to have. But, as good friends do, we could always be friends. I believe he had a good life and helped many people around the world. We can take comfort in knowing he did not suffer long. And, pray for more knowledge about dreaded cancer which has taken so many of our classmates, friends and family members.
Lorraine Howard (Schultz)
All of us in the MHS Class of 1961 have lost not only a classmate and friend, but another person who shared our common history and appreciated the value of our Marshalltown "upbringing." Dave's contributions to our class identity were significant, as were his contributions to our environment, our natural and spiritual worlds, and in meeting the needs of our peers in third-world countries. We are as proud of Dave as we are of all our classmates. Ed and Lorraine
Phyllis Halverson (Green)
My sympathy goes out to the family of Dave Cooper. I am happy we got to see the two of you at our 50th class reunion. May God be with your and the family during this time of sadness.
Jim Collins (Class Of 60)
Prayers for Dave's family. I remember Dave most for his wining smile. Also for his time on the swim team. A competitor and winner.