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Robert G. Cooper Jr. MD
Robert G. Cooper Jr. MD
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Robert Cooper Obituary
Devoted father, husband, and physician.
Robert Graham Cooper Jr., 74, died on the morning of March 16, 2023 at home with his family at his side. He is survived by his wife, Monica (Rush) and their children Olivia and Nigel; and, Leigh (Cooper-Brown) his Grandson, Barrett; and sons, Robert, Tyler, and Bryce. He is also survived by his siblings Constance Cooper Fobes, Candace Alford, Amanda Bowen (David) and his brother J. Barrett (Kaylyn); his Aunt Shirley Huber, Uncle Donald L. Schleter, and cousin Ann (Cooper) Adinolfi of Greenwood and many other family members. He was preceded in death by his parents Dr. Robert and Mrs. Irma (Huber) Cooper, Sr. of Louisville, KY and by his grandparents Paul and Francis (Ault) Huber, Aunt Mary (Huber) Schleter, cousin Donald L. Schleter, Jr. all of Seymour, IN.
Robert was born on May 2, 1948, to Dr. and Mrs. Robert and Irma Cooper. Robert grew up in Louisville, Kentucky where he learned to ride and show American Saddlebred Horses for which he held a life-long passion.
After graduating from Westport High School in 1966, Robert attended the University of Louisville. In 1967, he enlisted as a member of the 165th Airlift Squadron TAC Recon Hospital, a unit of the Kentucky Air National Guard 123rd Airlift Wing in Louisville, KY. and was called to active duty overseas from 1967 to 1970. During this time, Robert was stationed at Itazuke Air Force Base in Japan. When Robert returned home, he resumed his studies and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from University of Louisville in 1973. That same year he was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force Reserve as a Staff Sergeant.
Robert attended University of Louisville Medical School where he received his Doctor of Medicine in 1977. In 1982, Robert completed his Surgical Internship and Residency at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts where he served as Chief Surgical Resident and Clinical Instructor.
Dr. Cooper lived with an ever-positive outlook. He embraced every problem as an opportunity for growth and betterment. He always thought of surgery as an art form and his skills provided the opportunity to serve and care for others. There are patients and colleagues in hospitals and healthcare facilities in many states and globally, who feel deeply the loss of this special human being who happily served his patients around the clock. Dr. Cooper was well known for his warmth and truly caring bedside manner. He possessed an admirable body of knowledge and technical skills which he humbly shared when mentoring others.
In 2005, Dr. Cooper and his family moved to Seymour, Indiana and joined the surgical staff of Schneck Medical Center. In 2008 he founded and was Medical Director of the Bariatric program which became a Center of Excellence under his guidance and direction. Dr. Cooper thoroughly enjoyed working at Physician's Medical Center in New Albany, Indiana.
Dr. Cooper personified kindness, humility, and brilliance throughout his life and career for which he will always be remembered.
22 Entries
Ronald Deckard
May 10, 2023
Dr Cooper was my surgeon for giving me gastric sleeve. Mr. Cooper & his staff were a 5 star organization. RIP
(Also worth mentioning under his guidance, I lost 144 lbs
Bogdan Nowakowski MD, Halina Nowakowska MD
April 13, 2023
Very good doctor and friend.
Our hearts go out to Monika, Olivia, Nigel in your time of sorrow.
john fraiche
April 2, 2023
Monica so sorry to read about Bob's passing. Always enjoyed working with Bob. Our deepest sympathy and prayers to you and your family.
Michelle Carter
March 31, 2023
My heart goes out to Monica, Olivia and Ni.
Bob was that one person who you could always count on for spot on advice. He was the calmness in a room. He always made my family and myself like part of his family for many years.
Whenever Bob was around he had a way of letting you know that everything would be okay, even on your darkest day.
I will never forget the kindness and generosity of this man´s heart.
He will be missed by many.
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Mark Olkiewicz
March 29, 2023
My heartfelt condolences to your family. Bob was an amazing man I was proud to call my friend.
Yvonne Minton and Family
March 25, 2023
I'm so sorry to hear this. Dr. Cooper was my surgeon 12 years ago and by far was the best doctor I have ever had. He gladly shared his knowledge being sure that all of his patients left his office fully understanding everything they needed to know, while maintaining a care and bedside manner that surpasses all the rest. When our sons were in elementary school, they played on the same baseball team. Any moment he had to spare he would join Monica at the baseball field while she helped with the kids. Truly a great doctor and father!
Sheri Fuller
March 25, 2023
Just learned about the loss of this great doctor whom I had the privilege to be a patient of 10 years ago. He saved my life by doing a revision on my previous bariatric surgery. Then he saved my mother´s life when he attempted to do bariatric surgery on her and found a very serious condition that was unknown to her which she probably would have died from had he not stopped her surgery. I´ll forever be grateful and love this man for all of his wonderful care to my mom as well as myself. My deepest condolences to his wife and family as well as many prayers for them.
Samer Mattar
March 24, 2023
My sincerest condolences to the Cooper family. I very much enjoyed Bob when we worked together for a short while in Indianapolis and Carmel. After that we stayed in touch exchanging ideas on how to best treat complex patients. He was always in search of how to best treat his patients with the most recent innovations and was a champion of relentless learning. I visited him at his hospital in Seymour and was so impressed by the respect and admiration he garnered from all the staff we encountered. I salute and honor you Bob for a life well lived in service to others.
Rick Wiethoff
March 24, 2023
I just, very sadly, learned of Bob´s passing. In reading the condolences and memories of Bob, it showed just how much people, including myself, thought good things about him. He was an excellent doctor and a gifted technician. But more importantly, he was a man with a huge warm heart and a great sense of humor. He treated everyone with whom he came in contact with respect and had that gift of compassion for his patients that can´t be taught, nor feigned.
Dr. Cooper and I had many things in common, including the fact that we both followed our fathers´ footsteps into the practice of surgery. I could relate many experiences I had with Bob, and they were all good. He was a true gentleman and a friend to all.
May God bless Amanda, Olivia and Nigel, as well as the entire family, in this time of their loss.
Rick and Mary Wiethoff
Heather Lambrecht
March 24, 2023
I worked with Dr. Cooper for 8 years at Schneck. I always appreciated his calm demeanor, no matter what was happening. He had a great sense of humor and his patients loved him. He will be missed!
sandy Gay
March 24, 2023
I will forever be grateful to him. He saved my mother's life after hours , itw as late and he stayed at the hospital till he felt she was going to ok. He also done my bariatric surgery and was the best!!!!!! So very kind and caring
Hugo Martínez
March 24, 2023
I just found out this morning..my friend the doctor is not linger here .but i will never forget doc you was such a good man you and l We are so different from different worlds, but we connected to a deep level .i love you doc my good friend A true friend, where we have so few in a lifetime but im so glad for the time we share we spend many nights toghether watching sports just talking who would have thought we had so much in coomon and not to mention the adventure we went through toghether so memorable that brought us so close i will never forget you.thank you and your family Monica Olivia and Nigel you lift me up at my darkest moment i will never forget that rest in peace doc.
Liz Lovell Lorendo
March 24, 2023
My condolences to Bobby´s family. He was such an accomplished person.
I grew up with the Coopers. Our parents were best friends. For years the Coopers had 3 children and us the Lovell´s had 3 children. Later 2 more children arrived for both families.
Both of our Moms were nurses.
Bobby was the oldest of the gang. He was the one we watched to see what he was doing next. My brother Mark recalls playing army with Bobby. He said he had elaborate battle fields. Little green army men with white bandages.
I remember my Mom telling a story of her and Irma in their big station wagon going somewhere. Kids were fighting, Irma started smacking behind her. My Mom said "Irma you drive and I´ll smack. That´s how they rolled. Bobby was always off to the barn or doing something interesting.
The Coopers were family to the Lovell´s. The table was set for coffee and laughter. The kids running around everywhere. I have such fond memories of those times.
Bobby, Dr. Cooper went on to follow in his Dad´s footsteps and make his own path in medicine as well.
I know he will be missed by his family and friends. Also such a loss for our medical community.
RIP Bobby
Rose Padgett-Ousley
March 24, 2023
He was awesome to me through my Hiatl hernia surgery.
Rachel Knapp
March 23, 2023
I still can´t even believe this i am so sad. He was one of the best people i know and even a better doctor i loved working in the office with him just me and him for seven years. We became really close. He will definitely be missed by so many and prayers for Monica Olivia and Nigel and family
Shandi
March 23, 2023
I will never forget the first time signing off orders from Dr. Cooper back when orders were still hand written. I understood every line except the last order on the sheet. When he came to the nurses station I said Dr. Cooper I´m sorry but I can´t tell what your last order says. He smiled, "it says thank you." He was always appreciative, patient, and kind to the nursing staff. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Stephanie Grunden
March 23, 2023
Such a wonderful person, he always talked the nurses up to the patients and assured them they were in good hands. That meant so much coming from him. He was always just a fun person to be around. I was so saddened to hear this news. I am thankful to not only have had him as my surgeon, but also as a colleague and friend. Many prayers of comfort to his wife, children, family and friends.
Brittany
March 23, 2023
I will never forget him. I talk about him often. Not only changing my life with surgery but also the friendliness and compassion that he showed, Alway teaching and always patient. He would go above and beyond for his patients. I remember he brought a Christmas tree into the hospital for a patient that couldn´t go home for Christmas. He was an amazing doctor!
Cathy Wichman
March 23, 2023
I´ll never forget his first day at the hospital and his suit and hat. He was so kind and caring and truly changed my life. I spoke to him at the first of the year and am so happy I was able to connect with him!
Karen Bowman
March 23, 2023
My deepest condolences to Monica and family. Doc was a one of a kind treasure and I am so blessed to have known him and his family. I will never be able to repay him for all he has done for me and my family. I am also honored to have gotten to know him and his family thru martial arts. I will never forget his devilish grin and his loud and confident yell in class. I will treasure the memories and the friendship we shared. His light will never dim. A true inspiration to all.
Karen Bowman
March 23, 2023
I just found out today 23rd, that a treasure like no other has returned home. He will always be in my heart and I will never be able to repay him for all he has done for me and my family. I am truly blessed to have gotten to know such a wonderful man and his marvelous sense of humor not to mention his devilish smile. Rest in peace my friend.
Susie Bowman
March 23, 2023
Our sincerest condolences to Monica and kids, and the rest of your family. We were truly fond of Doc!
Keith and Susie Bowman
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