Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
MILTON KOPELMAN Obituary
former principal of The Bronx High School of Science, died August 24, 2018, 91 years old. Milt devoted his life to his beloved wife, Harriet (married 68 years), and to his three children, Steve (Laura), Ken (Liz) and Donna (Mark Markarian), his six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was loved and admired and will be missed by them all. Milt dedicated his career to The Bronx High School of Science, serving as the school's principal from 1977 until his retirement in 1990. He started his career at Bronx Science in 1949 as a biology teacher, and was named chairman of the school's biology department in 1961. Milt was a strong, committed and effective advocate for Bronx Science and its students. He believed there was no higher calling than teaching. Milt was born in New York City and grew up in the Bronx. He received a BS degree from City College of New York and a Master's degree from Columbia University. Milt's greatest love was his wife Harriet and his family. He was also an avid golfer and an enthusiastic (if pessimistic) Giants and Yankees fan. A graveside service will be held on Sunday, August 26, at 1pm at Cedar Park Cemetery in Paramus, NJ. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. edwardsdowdle.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for MILTON KOPELMAN
Gary Feilich
August 21, 2025
I retired after 50 years of teaching hs bio. If you weren´t there to serve as my role model for teacher and chairperson, u would not have been anywhere close to the success I had in the classroom. Your memory will always serve as a blessing
William Sabino
February 24, 2025
A mixed legacy
William Sabino
February 24, 2025
A master of simple reasoning.
Gary Feilich
August 20, 2021
Your are missed and still and inspiration after 48 years. I know whats right in Bio because you told me so, and finally, some people realize that now. I'll tell you in my prayers tonight and its bound to make you smile!
Gary Feilich
September 7, 2018
When I was a student teacher, he would gather all of us in his office once a week and discuss what we could do to become better teachers. He knew what it took to become a successful teacher. I just retired from teaching 2 days ago and only learned of his passing today. Whenever I taught, I always imagined him watching me in the back of the room, and hopefully smiling as I taught my bio and AP Bio classes their lessons. He was an inspiration and a wonderful, wonderful person. G-d bless you Mr. Kopelman
Patrick Collins
September 5, 2018
Class of '84. I spoke with Mr. Kopelman several times in my four years at Science. I always found him personable and willing to help. I know my classmates felt the same way. The personification of teaching by example.
Ty Whitter
September 5, 2018
I am deeply saddened to learn of Mr. Kopelmans passing. My condolences to his wife and family,friends and the extended Bronx High School of Science family. I wa privileged to have known him (74- 78 student) during his tenure as chairman of the biology department and subsequently as principal of the school. He was a brilliant, engaging, uplifting and warm individual. He was a true renaissance man. I tested his scope of many topics and subjects as a volunteer in the biology department. Did I learn a lot. He was a great teacher, administrator ,mentor and friend. If there was a Hall of Fame for high school academicians he would be elected on the first round unanimously. Mr. Kopelman your legacy will continue for many generations for you have touched many. Thank you. Rest In Peace
Susan (Gilbert) Levine
September 4, 2018
The Bronx HS of Science Class of 1958 has loved Milton Kopeleman from the year we met him..
1955..until today. He was a unique human being and the best teacher we ever had. We are grateful
that Milton and his wife Harriet joined us for our Class Reunions and will always remember him with
great affection and respect. May he Rest in Peace.
Carole Kalb Levy
September 2, 2018
He was so sweet and kind when I was unsure what courses to take.
Rest in peace.
Veronica Brown
September 2, 2018
My favorite teacher in high school. I loved our field trips to the zoo, the Botanical Gardens and Pelham Bay. I also loved his non-punitive and respectful attitude towards students.
Brad Hirsch '86
August 31, 2018
Proud to have attended Bronx Science and to have had M. Kopelman as the school's principal...a warm, dedicated educator who demonstrated great respect for the integrity and quality of the school.
Donald Bieber Class of 54
August 30, 2018
May his memory be a blessing.
Celia Cockburn
August 30, 2018
I was very sad to read of Mr Kopelman's death. I was at Science 1967-1971. As a member of the Biology Office Squad, I often had the honour of seeing him and enjoying his sense of humour. He also never chastised me for constantly taking photos of everything and everyone, including early in the morning in the Bio Office!
Condolences and best wishes to his family, friends and former colleagues. We were all lucky to have known him.
Allen Wolf
August 29, 2018
I owe much of my personal success on the education I received at Bronx Science including biology class with Mr Koppelman. With over 40 years at the school, he was an integral part of an amazing institution. My sincere condolences to his family.
William Stark
August 29, 2018
Milt Kopelman gave me my start as an administrator, served as my mentor and as my advocate in my quest to become principal of The Bronx High School of Science. He was an innovative educator whose love of his students served as an exemplar for others to follow. He made a difference for so many. My sympathies to his family.
Carlos Monteagudo
August 29, 2018
Mr. Kopelman was a great principal for our school. Deepest condolences to his family; we are blessed to have had him in our lives. Class of 86
Girard Pessis
August 29, 2018
Mr. Kopelman inspired my interest in science which lasted to this day. My best wishes to his family.
Girard Pessis, Class of 1960
Nancy Ferrer
August 29, 2018
Sincere prayers and sympathies to his family and friends. I will remember him fondly as my good humored principal at Bronx Science. May he rest in peace. -Class of 1982
August 29, 2018
Mr. Kopelman was an inspiring and compassionate Principal at Bronx Science. May his family be comforted, and may his memory be a blessing.
Ira Haimowitz, class of 1984
Joyce Lazoff
August 28, 2018
Wonderful memories of my Bio teacher at Science. Condolences to the family.
Class of 1966.
Vincent Galasso
August 28, 2018
Milt Kopelman was my friend, colleague, mentor and golfing buddy. I was honored to follow him as Principal of Bronx Science.
My sincerest sympathy to Harriet, Steve Kenny, Donna and their families.
Michele Daly (née Jevotovsky)
August 28, 2018
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Kopelman. He was a great teacher and person. I have fond memories of knowing him.
Andrew Israel
August 28, 2018
I was a student at the Bronx H.S. of Science from 1980-1984. Mr. Kopelman was a great educator and made a positive impression on us as students. He ran a world class school establishment. With deepest sympathy for the loss of a great human educator. Many blessings.
Manna Cheng Morejon
August 28, 2018
My sincere condolences to the Kopelman family. He was a great principal and gentleman. - Class of '84.
Christina Kyriazis
August 28, 2018
My Condolences to his family. May his memory be eternal. BS class of 84
August 28, 2018
May his memory be for blessings.
Marsha Weiss-Geller
Sherry Wilder
August 28, 2018
My sincere condolences to the family. A great teacher who left his students with great memories. Sherry Wilder BxSxi 1974
Rene Cooper
August 27, 2018
He saved my life... had he not been wise enough to meet me where I was, I would have gone by the wayside...
I have had some wonderful educators in my life, beginning in first grade with my older sister, her best friend, Ms Veronica in 2nd grade... Mr Jones in 3rd... Mrs Kevelocich, Mrs Mathews, Mt Silen for the rest of elementary school... Mrs Fenfert/Bailey in JHS...
I genuinely believe it all would have gone to waste, without his timely intervention... and that would have deprived M Joanne Straussof the opportunity to save me again...
Thank you so much Mr Kopelman... I am happy that I got the opportunity to thank you personally at the 75th anniversary... you are and will always be a great teacher... but more importantly, a great person.
Nancy Gerner- Heaps
August 27, 2018
One of the best teachers I ever had. Rest In Peace. Condolences to his family.
Michael Markman
August 27, 2018
Milt Kopelman was my biology teacher at Bronx Science in 1957-8.
I will never forget the first moments of the first day of class. The bell rang. The class settled in. Mr. Kopelman stood up and wrote in very large letters on the chalkboard, pronouncing the words as he wrote;
WHAT.... IS.... BIOLOGY?
He turned to the class and paused. Repeated the question. Paused again. And then suddenly dropped out of sight behind the desk.
When he stood up, he was brandishing a giant, wriggling python. He held it out to the room and triumphantly announced:
THIS... IS... BIOLOGY!
A memorable start to an unforgettable course.
Condolences to his family, friends, and generations of students.
Sunnie Schneider
August 27, 2018
May his name be a blessing
Linda Ziman
August 27, 2018
This is such sad news.
I attended Bronx Science 1973-1977 and had the privilege of being mentored by
Dr. Kopelman. He was a total mensch.
May his memory be a blessing forever and my sincere condolences to his family.
-Dr. Linda Ziman
August 27, 2018
My most sincere condolences to the family. He was a great teacher.
Betty Baumel
August 27, 2018
So sorry for your loss. May his memory be for a blessing. I treasure the memories of our times together.
George Acs
August 27, 2018
What a wonderful man and extraordinary teacher, with such a great sense of humor.
Mr. Kopelman was my Biology teacher in 1971 and was also cousin, perhaps by marriage, with my best friend's family.
He would always ask me how "those Hungarians" were doing.
Milton Kopelman was a wonderfully talented teacher and motivational force. Selecting him to serve as Principal of Bronx Science following the legendary Alexander Taffel was an obvious, yet inspired decision.
May his family, friends, colleagues and students always find solace in having had the good fortune to have been in his company.
Marty Jacobson
August 27, 2018
Milt taught my brother, was my colleague and then my second principal at Bronx Science. He was a strong leader and a great schmoozer. He knew what he wanted and he knew how to get it done. Condolences to his family.
Michael Small
August 27, 2018
My condolences to the Kopelman family. Mr. Kopelman was chairman of the Bio Dept when I was a student (1968-1971). He was very supportive of the project I undertook in Bio Projects and I enjoyed discussing it with him. I remember him fondly.
Lisa Wiener
August 26, 2018
So sorry for your loss...great bio teacher! May his memory be a blessing for the family.
Joy Denton (Rabinowitz)
August 26, 2018
With sincere condolences to the Kopelman family.
Showing 1 - 39 of 39 results
Make a Donation
in MILTON KOPELMAN's name
Memorial Events
for MILTON KOPELMAN
How to support MILTON's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor MILTON KOPELMAN's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
