Eric Koopmans

Eric Koopmans

3/18/1961 - 7/4/2025

Eric Koopmans, husband, father, son, brother, friend and coach left us with a bang and moved in with the Lord peacefully on July 4, 2025 at the age of 64 surrounded by his family and friends.

Eric fought a courageous battle with cancer for almost two years. He kept his sense of humor, honor and fastidious bearing until the end.

Eric was born on March 18, 1961 at Edwards Air Force Base, in Mojave, CA to Harry and Monique Koopmans. Eric joined his older brother, William (Bill) as the military family of four moved around the US before his dad was transferred overseas in 1963. The family often moved between the US and Europe over the next several years.

In 1976, Eric's family returned to the US when his father was assigned to Vandenberg Air Force Base. Eric graduated from Cabrillo High School in 1980, and continued his education at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria. He earned two degrees, with one an Associate in Science degree in Administration of Justice. He then sought a career in Law Enforcement, a profession in which he excelled. He initially joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in 1982, transferring to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office in April 1984.

Eric served from Carpinteria to Santa Maria in a variety of assignments during his thirty-four-year storied career. He steadily rose through the ranks, retiring at the rank of Commander for the North County Operations Division of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office.

Eric was a natural leader as he coached Tyler and his AYSO teams, then refereed soccer matches with Tyler as he got older. Eric also spent countless hours dedicated to baseball as Tyler excelled as a pitcher in the SY Pony League and at Santa Ynez high school. Eric also served on the boards of AYSO and SY Pony League for many years.

The family would like to thank Dr. Chad Guenther and all of the extraordinary nurses at Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, especially the Solvang office, for their exceptional care and treatment. They took care of him and made his treatments enjoyable, by joking around and laughing with him and letting him tell his funny stories. Eric enjoyed going to his treatments because of the conversations and laughs he had during those times.

Eric is survived by his wife Lynda, his son Tyler, both of Santa Ynez, his father Harry and brother William (and Camilla), both of Lompoc. He was predeceased by his mother, Monique Koopmans.

A private family interment was held on July 16, 2025 in Ballard, CA. A public Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at the Solvang Veterans Hall. The service will

start at 1 pm and is open to all who wish to pay tribute. Please RSVP by August 6, 2025 to pmw0386@comcast.net if you plan to attend.

Loper Funeral Chapel Directors