Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many, Robert W. Cooper passed away at age 72 on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, MA after a short and unexpected illness. He is survived by his loving wife, Bonnie Mintz Cooper, with whom he shared 47 years of marriage, love, and adventure.
Those who loved Bob knew him as a man with an open heart – filled with pure and unconditional love for his family. Bob approached life with levity and a sense of playfulness. He could be lovably spacey, yet he could also be relied upon for moments of incisive wisdom – about life, family, or business.
After a chance meeting in Vermont nearly fifty years ago, Bob fell hard for Bonnie and immediately moved from the South to be with her in New England. They’ve been inseparable ever since. They had two sons, Ben and Sam, who they raised together in Barrington, RI with love and a commitment to having fun. Ben’s two daughters, Edie and Sunny, were the object of Bob’s affection – manifested through their shared love of coin collecting, dancing, and sweet treats.
Bob and Bonnie cultivated a loyal group of friends wherever they lived. First, in Barrington, where they traveled, dined, and laughed over the course of decades with two couples, the Molvars and the Blooms. Then, in Padanaram, where Bob joined the New Bedford Yacht Club and the Wharf Rats, a group that instantly recognized him for his good humor and enduring curiosity.
As a transplant to New England, Bob cherished being on the water with family and friends. An avid sailor, swimmer, cyclist, world traveler, and dedicated step-counter, he lived a full life, yet always made time for a signature Cooper nap.
For over forty years, Bob managed the family business, Klear-Vu, a manufacturer of cushions, in Fall River, MA. He had a passion for the work, approaching it like a puzzle with his engineering background and his love of new ideas. His patented invention, the Gripper, replaced the cushion’s ties with a non-slip bottom, thus improving the company’s product and invigorating the company. He found much professional fulfillment working with a dedicated group of employees, including his father-in-law, brother-in-law, and son.
He studied Civil Engineering and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama. He loved watching his alma mater’s football team, the Crimson Tide.
Born and raised in Auburn, Alabama, Bob grew up riding bikes, participating in Boy Scouts, and playing on the family farm with his siblings, Art, Mary, and Don, with whom he remained close for his whole life. All four gathered their families every other year at Thanksgiving, bringing together family members from across the country.
Son to Arthur W. And Dorothy Summers Cooper, and survived by two sons, Benjamin Cooper and wife Jackie Delamatre and Samuel Cooper and partner Nicole Najafi, two granddaughters, Edie and Sunny Cooper, three siblings, Arthur Cooper and wife Julia Cooper, Mary Kitchen and husband Robert Kitchen, and Donald Cooper and wife Hyunchu Cooper, brother-in-law Mark Mintz, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. They will hold him in their hearts forever.
Relatives and friends are invited to his funeral service on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at 11:00am in the Historic Chapel at Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Blvd., Providence. Burial and reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the United Way of Greater Fall River, PO Box 2550, Fall River, MA 02722 or the Boys & Girls Club of Fall River, PO Box 5155, Fall River, MA 02723.
Arrangements are in the care of Sugarman-Sinai Memorial Chapel, Providence.
For tributes, www.sugarmansinai.com.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18