Mervyn Kopp

1934 - 2011

Mervyn Kopp was born in the Bronx, N.Y., on May 18, 1934, to Dorothy and Jack Kopp. He was the second of two children. The family moved to West Los Angeles in 1941, where both children attended Crescent Heights Elementary School, Louis Pasteur Junior High School, Hamilton High School, and UCLA. A proud Bruin, Merv earned a B.S. in Physical Education from UCLA in 1955, then in 1956 earned his Master's.

In September 1956, Merv began teaching boys' physical education in LA at Foshay Junior High. In January 1957 he was drafted and then stationed at Killeen Base, Texas, working for the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project on atomic weapons. He received an early out and began teaching again at Foshay in September 1958, then was transferred to Marina del Rey Junior High in September 1962. He became Boys' Vice Principal at Palisades High in March 1967, and left teaching in June 1969 to sell life insurance.

Merv entered the residential real estate mortgage business in September 1977, and retired in August 2007. Merv married Carolyn, his former wife, in March 1967, and they had two children, Liesel and Kerry. The family moved to Thousand Oaks in 1977, and Merv soon became a dedicated member of the community. He joined Thousand Oaks Rotary in 1982, and during his 29 years as a Rotarian, he was named Rotarian of the Year, awarded a Paul Harris Fellow, and served as Club President. During his term as president, the club was named the Conejo Valley Service Club of the Year. For many years he was also club videographer, documenting fundraising events while treating everyone to his well-known sense of humor.

Merv served on the Hospice of the Conejo Board of Directors from January 1987 until January 1991, and assisted in establishing the organization's first annual golf tournament, an event that continues 23 years later. He also helped facilitate the organization's move from a small office to its present rent-free home. Merv was a member of the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission from January 1991 to February 1995, and was Planning Commission Chair from January 1992 to January 1993.

In February 2005, Merv had problems breathing through his right nostril, and a polyp containing the rare cancer leiomyosarcoma was discovered. Following surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, he was deemed cancer-free until February 2010, when it was discovered that his cancer had metastasized to his lungs, spine and liver, and he began a second round of chemotherapy.

As a delegate to the inaugural LIVESTRONG Cancer Survivors Summit in October 2006, Merv was inspired to do something to help cancer survivors in his community. As he believed strongly about the power of using humor and keeping a positive attitude, he decided to produce a stand-up comedy FUNdraiser for The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura, and was responsible for three successful FUNdraisers at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. TWCVV uses the proceeds to produce a monthly Monday Comedy Night for people affected by cancer.

In May 2011, Merv was honored with the Celebration of Hope Award at TWCVV's 20th Anniversary Celebration of Life Gala. Always a believer in laughter being the best medicine, Merv kept everyone laughing during his acceptance speech, then inspired them as he ended with an emotional, "Never give up. Never give up! Never, never, never give up!" His commitment to making a difference in the lives of people affected by cancer and his positive attitude and determination to give the gift of laughter to cancer survivors regardless of the side effects of his own cancer treatment was a source of hope and inspiration. "Laughter is the bridge we take to leave the dark side and get to the other side," said Merv. "Maybe your glass is only one-sixteenth full, but at least it's got something in it."

Merv did not want a funeral, but a celebration of his life will be held in Thousand Oaks early next year.

Merv is survived by his daughter, Liesel; son, Kerry; and sister, Audrey.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Wellness Community: twcvv.org or Hospice of the Conejo: hospiceoftheconejo.org. Visit Merv's online memorial at: Never-Gone.com/Memorials/MervynKopp and at www.camarillomortuary.com. Assisting the family with funeral arrangements is Perez Family Funeral Home, 983-3457.