Robert “Bob” Harvey Cooper, 90, died on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at Arbor Springs care facility, West Des Moines, Iowa. A graveside Memorial Service and interment will be held Tuesday, July 23, 11:00 am at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery, Atlantic, Iowa. Lunch and Celebration of Bob’s Life will follow the service at Schafer Barn on the Hill, 1459 White Pole Road, Adair, Iowa.
Born May 15, 1934 to Ruth Maurine Alcorn and Robert William Cooper in a 2-bedroom farmhouse in Adair, Iowa. He joined sisters, Margaret ‘Peggy” Jean (Faga) and Betty Lucille (Littler) and was followed by little brother, Donald “Donnie” Edwin.
Bob attended country school for 1st-7th grades and graduated from Adair High School in 1952. Bob married his high school sweetheart, Carol Juanita Smith, October 4, 1954 at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Adair. To this union came 3 children, Denise Kay, Douglas Robert and Michael Dean. Bob’s legacy continues in his 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
In his youth, Bob farmed with his father and neighbors Lloyd and Velma Carney, raising crops, cattle and horses. One of his biggest sources of pride was maintaining and nurturing a Century Farm originally owned by his grandfather, Dr. Harvey Alcorn, DVM. Bob worked in the construction business his entire adult life; first with Betts & Beer and Leo Darland Construction companies and then served as Superintendent of the concrete division of Henningson Construction, Atlantic, Iowa, for over 40 years. He built countless commercial buildings across the nation. During that time, he earned a pilot’s license flying to the many job sites. Bob also hand-built the family home in Atlantic.
Bob and Carol lived in Atlantic, Iowa until her death in 1998. They were active in the community supporting school and church in many roles. He was a member of the Atlantic Jaycees, Knights of Columbus, Atlantic Police “Eyes and Ears”, helped start the Atlantic Boosters club and was an original member of the Atlantic Futures Club. He and Carol helped many people informally by doing things for them. Bob always had a story to tell, usually including real life events, lessons and humor. He taught his children to fish and hunt but mostly to enjoy the wonders of nature.
Bob was an engineer, architect, carpenter and mechanic without formal training or degrees. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t figure out and fix, even into the last month of his life. His family and friends have furniture, woodworking, crafts and repairs on their homes made with Bob’s hands. Several Des Moines area organizations received the benefit of Bob’s expertise when he built garages, decks, finished basements, repaired roofs, installed siding and helped with household maintenance for people who couldn’t afford to do so. Bob loved history and traveled extensively in his retirement to explore Civil War and other significant historical sites. Bob created and gave bus tours of the White Pole Road from Adair to Dexter, Iowa for several years. His favorite local site was the Iowa Aviation Museum in Greenfield, Iowa.
Bob lived in the Des Moines area for 25 years including a time in Norwalk near his daughter’s family. Bob’s family is grateful for the loving care demonstrated by staff at Holland Farms and Arbor Springs.
Bob was predeceased by his parents; wife, Carol; siblings and several in-laws.
Bob is survived by his children, Denise Kay Cooper Kluever (Ned) of Norwalk, Iowa; Douglas Robert (Laurie) of Holden MO and Michael Dean (Kristi) of Swisher, Iowa. Also surviving are grand and great grandchildren Jeff and Holly Kluever, of Norwalk; Tracy Kluever, of Urbandale; Rob and Andrea Cooper, Mason, Mara, of Elk River, MN; Christopher Cooper, Collin, Brielle, of Holden MO; Nathan and Casey Cooper, Emmalyn, Autumn, of Swisher, Iowa; Kaci and Jordan Uthoff, Monroe, Abner, of Ely, Iowa. In addition, he is survived by his sister-in-law Marilyn Wagers, Redfield, IA; many nieces and nephews as well as lifelong friends, Bob and Dorothy Oaks, and Dick and Alberta Millikan.
We encourage you to celebrate Bob’s life with an ice cream cone and a memorial contribution to the Iowa Aviation Museum.
