Robert P. Cooper

Robert (Bob) Perry Cooper, 98, a gentle soul, died peacefully on February 19, 2024. Bob was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1925 and raised in Evanston, Ill. Just two weeks after graduation from Evanston Township High School, he was drafted to serve in World War II. After the war, Lt. Cooper attended the University of Michigan. He graduated with an engineering degree, but missed graduation – called back to services in the Korean War. After his final discharge, and on his way home to Detroit, Bob met Nancy Obee in Ann Arbor, and it was love at first sight: They married three months later and started their life together in Worchester, Mass., where Bob was employed by The Norton Co. Soon after a tornado swept away their new home, the couple was transferred to the west coast, where their two children, Thomas and Patricia were born. After seven years on the coast, they returned to Michigan to partner in a business with Nan’s father and brother-in-law. Bob loved to sing and was a member of a chorus or choir most of his life. He sang in the choir at St. John’s Episcopal in Plymouth for many years, as well as with the men’s choral society Measure for Measure. Bob loved to garden, read, and sail in his boat with anyone he could coax to come “race with me.” He could be coaxed into almost any activity – except golf. Bob loved martinis, red wine and cookies – but most of all, he loved his family. He leaves behind a perfect marriage of 72 years to his beloved Nan; their two children Tom (Marybeth Whittaker) and Pat; grandchildren Katelyn (Brian) Parker and Michael, who called him “Gramps” and loved him to pieces; and many nieces and nephews. He would have been 99 years old on February 24. The Celebration of Life Service for our gentle Bob the Cookie Monster, will be Saturday, March 16th 11 AM at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 574 S. Sheldon Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170.. Memorial contributions may be made to Angela Hospice, 14100 Newburgh Rd., Livonia, MI 48154 or Restoring Hope Transplant House, 7457 Terrace Ave., Middleton, WI 53562. To share a memory, please use the share a memory tab on this webpage.

Robert P. Cooper

February 24, 1925 - February 19, 2024