Dr. Hans-Harald Kopper died December 20, 2020 at home in Williamsburg, VA. Dr. Kopper, whose native tongue was German, was born in the Polish Corridor of Europe in 1930. He was awarded a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Hamburg and completed a Post Doc in Chemical Engineering at Princeton University. He was a distinguished member of a Max Plank Institute.

Dr. Kopper enjoyed a long career with BASF, the world's largest chemical producer. In 1979, he and his wife left Germany and came to the United States when BASF promoted him to an executive position in America. In 1987, Dr. Kopper retired from BASF as President of the Fibers Division and Executive Vice President of BASF Corporation. He and his wife decided to permanently reside in the USA.

Hans was married to Brigitte for 51 years before she passed away. While in Germany, he and Brigitte enjoyed many outdoor sports. Hans was an accomplished sailor and together they went sailing in the Baltic Sea. Every winter they traveled to the Alps to snow ski, and they played competitive tennis year-round. Upon coming to America, they enjoyed all these sports and more. Hans' charisma and Brigitte's hospitality combined for many evenings entertaining friends and family.

In retirement, Hans excelled in chess and enjoyed playing against the best amateurs in the world. He also was drawn to a new adventure. He took flying lessons and earned a Private Pilot, Single Engine License and later an instrument rating. He purchased a Cessna 172 and with Brigitte at his side, they flew to all the contiguous 48 states. He donated numerous Angel Flights to parents and their children for medical transport. He was an active pilot into his eighties.

Dr. Kopper is survived by two sisters, Heidi Morgan (in the USA) and Hedda Schostock (in Germany); one brother, Hilmar Kopper (in Germany); as well as cousins, nieces, and nephews in the USA and abroad.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to his devoted friends Dr. Peter and Anna Sim, his oncologist Dr. Christina Prillaman, and his Riverside Hospital Hospice team.

Memorial donations may be made to Williamsburg Presbyterian Church (215 Richmond Road, Williamsburg VA 23185) or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Press on Dec. 27, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Hans-Harald Kopper

Sponsored by Nelsen Funeral Home - Williamsburg.

4 Entries

Tomas und Anna Schafer

February 5, 2021

Nita,
We never have met but both Brigitte und Hans always spoke well of you to us here. We are wishing prayers to you and to all persons who truly love them.
Lass die wahrheit leuchten.

Helen Benson

January 18, 2021

Hans and Brigitte were family to me. Hans would refer to me as his American daughter, I was happy to accept the title. Brigitte was the light of his life, he wasn't whole without her, she was the spark that lit the fire. Hans would fly my son Tyler and myself places for the day: Luray Caverns, Manteo, NC. and Tangier to name a few. Hans would take me to the opera and we had many lunches together. My husband Jerry and I had many beautiful dinner experiences with Hans and Brigitte, never to be late, was one thing Hans was a stickler about. Jerry had Brigitte on his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Hans liked it so much he gave Jerry a small model of his motorcycle. Hans taught our son Tyler to fly his plane, it was a beautiful experience. They both loved my American cooking as much as I loved to cook for them. They were wonderful host. I often helped in the preparation of their extravagant parties. They had many friends that adored them. Hans has a precious neice Audrey and her husband Jay that adored him. Peter and Anna were Hans and Brigitte's guardian Angel's till the end. I have such fond memories. Gone but never forgotten. Love always, Helen Dezern Benson

Thomas Fischel

December 29, 2020

Herzlichen Beileid.Tom und Pat Fischel

M. Bowker

December 27, 2020

Hans and Brigitte both were always so kind and inviting the times I visited with them. They were also both learned and experienced in many topics and I appreciate the conversations that we had. I would like to express my gratitude to both of them and to their wonderful caregiver Nita Kingsbury who was always by their sides without fail and took such good care of them for so many years.

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