M. Nicholas Coppola

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M. Coppola Obituary

M. Nicholas Coppola LUBBOCK-Dr. M. Nicholas Coppola, age 50, passed away with his family by his side, Tuesday, June 30, 2015. He was born in Spring Valley, NY, on Sept. 7, 1964, to Dr. John Anthony Coppola and Daryl Lachman. He was raised in Monroe, NY. He graduated from Monroe-Woodbury High School in 1982. He attended S.U.N.Y., Potsdam, NY. After earning his Bachelor's degree in Biology, he began his active duty in the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant. He was a member of the All Army Wrestling Team. He served in Hawaii, Korea, Virginia, San Antonio, Texas, and Washington, D.C. at the United States Pentagon. During his 26-years of active duty, he advanced his education by earning two Master's Degrees and his PhD. in healthcare; he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. After his retirement, he began his career at Texas Tech University, in the Health Science Center, as a professor and program Director. He was a published author of various medical articles and academic text books, in the health field. He was a member of the Scottish Rite Free Masons, Scofield Lodge, in Hawaii. He is preceded in death by his father. Left to cherish his memory are: his wife, Susannah Chambers Coppola; children, Nicholas, Holly, Gigi; mother, Daryl Lachman; sister, Beati and her husband, Joe Leck; sister, Mary Jo and her husband, Tim Leib; and many close friends he considered family. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 3, 2015, at 10 a.m. in the Abbey Chapel at Resthaven Funeral Home & Memorial Park with Dr. Brad Jurkovich officiating. Online condolences may be offered at: www.resthavenfuneralhome.com.

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Published by Lubbock Avalanche-Journal on Jul. 3, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for M. Coppola

13 Entries

Cecil Wood

June 28, 2021

Nick was an inspiring educator and mentor. His talents are greatly missed by the university and students he served! I miss his cheerful banter.

C Wood

Cecil Wood

July 25, 2015

I feel very fortunate to have met this man. Although our paths crossed only briefly a few years ago, Nick was an inspirational lecturer with an amazing storehouse of knowledge which he joyously shared with his students. His leadership text has been one of a small handful that spends more time on my desk than in my library and will be a continuous reminder of Nick's talent and contributions to his fellow man. It shall also be a subtle reminder of the brevity of this life and the need to live it with passion and purpose as did this fine man.

My deepest condolences to his family and the many friends who will miss him.

Cecil

Brad Beauvais

July 23, 2015

Nick was a great friend & mentor. He provided countless hours of counsel and professional guidance to the Army Baylor students, faculty and staff. His candor, humor and ambition is what I will miss about him the most. He will be remembered fondly by all that knew him well.

Forest Kim

July 23, 2015

I knew Nick for over 9 years through our service in the military, as alumni and faculty members of the Army-Baylor University Graduate Program in Health & Business Administration, and most recently as a colleague in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Graduate Program in Clinical Practice Management.

One of my earliest memories of Nick is attending a session he co-taught at the American College of Healthcare Executives Annual Congress on successfully transitioning from the military to the civilian sector. He exhibited more candor than most speakers I had heard before as he honestly expressed his successes and challenges with his personal transition in an effort to encourage and help others. At other conferences through the years, I observed Nick constantly reaching out to help other officers in their professional development. Early in my academic career, I received Nick's help at a pivotal time while applying for doctorate programs. Nick readily shared with me the purpose statement he had written and gave me advice from his own experience.

Upon graduating from doctoral studies, Nick served as a true mentor that greatly enhanced my professional growth. He invited me to co-author a book chapter in a prestigious healthcare textbook and shared with me a number of service opportunities. While seeking online teaching opportunities, Nick hired me as one of his adjunct faculty in his Graduate Program in Clinical Practice Management. During the on-boarding process, Nick shared with me his teaching philosophy and methodologies. He generously invested his time and resources into my success.

Nick and I shared a special connection because both he and I have served as Director of the Army-Baylor Program. Being in this position has allowed me to interface with many faculty, students, and alumni and become privy to countless stories of the help, support, and sponsorship Nick has given to them. Going through program director historical files, I've read many letters that he has written in support of others' job searches, school applications, and the like. This perspective has allowed me a further glimpse into the efforts Nick made throughout the years in helping others.

Throughout my military and academic career, Nick showed himself to be a true friend and mentor. He has asked for little, but gave much. Though he had his flaws (along with all of us), he did more to support the professional growth and development of others than the majority of people I know.

You will be missed.

Charlyn Hilliman

July 23, 2015

Nick was a pleasure to work with. He was a valuable colleague and provided insight into all situations. He will be missed. And my deepest condolences to his entire family.

Daniel

July 14, 2015

While at the Office of the Army Surgeon General, where Nick did is Baylor residency, our preceptor team, that included COL Tom Broyles and LTC Joel Bales, in the Office of Managed Care Policy, were always impressed with his enthusiasm, energy, and desire to write. That year he won the Poster Display, indicative of where he was heading. My hope is that those that came in contact with Nick will always remember his exuberance.

Sam Franco

July 9, 2015

Nick was an energetic and talented officer who was always available to help anyone. His contributions will be felt for a long time. This is a sad day for the MSCs. Our prayers and thoughts to his family. Sam Franco

Steven Gallegos

July 8, 2015

Nick and I were commanders together at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and other varied assignments throughout our Army careers. You will be missed my friend.

Del Rios

July 7, 2015

U will always b with me.u will b missed.May u rest in peace now

Del

July 7, 2015

U will b with me always.Now u can rest in peace friend

Theresa Byrd

July 4, 2015

So sorry to hear about Nick. I worked with him for about a year, and just loved him! Praying for the family in this difficult time.

Tammy Vander Kuy

July 3, 2015

I enjoyed taking some classes from Dr. Coppola. May God bless his family during this hard time.