Richard H. "Dick" Cooper

Richard “Dick” Henry Cooper died Oct. 3, 2017, at home. He was born August 27, 1927, in Long Beach, California, to Harold and Leota Cooper. At the age of 5, the family moved to Shelby, Iowa, the home of his mother’s parents. The following year they moved to Alden, Minnesota, home of his father’s parents. Dick was the oldest of three boys. He worked the family farm until he graduated from Alden High School and joined the US Navy proudly serving as Chief Cook. Upon discharge he attended the University of Minnesota for a short time. Dick’s short stay at UofM was impacted by a young girl (Helen Newbrough) he met at the local dentist office the summer before he was to start school. The dentist would schedule Dick and Helen’s appointments next to each other. Then they would go for a chocolate shake afterwards. Dick fell in love and could not live away from Helen. They were married in June, 1949 just 3 weeks after Helen graduated high school. Dick would say Helen was his one and only love and the mainstay in their family and marriage. During their courtship he worked for Seipp’s Construction in Alden and for Wilson & Company in Albert Lea, Minnesota (1948-1979).
They bought a farm in Freeborn, Minnesota, in 1958 where they lived for five years while still working for Wilson’s. Helen was always ready to follow Dick in all the moves his career took them. He was a frustrated farmer; he wanted to farm but knew the plant job was a better way to go for the family. He was subsequently promoted to Plant Engineer in Ogden, Utah, for 5 years. He always said this decision was the best one they ever made. His ensuing promotions moved his family to Hanover, Massachusets, for 10 years and Cherokee, Iowa, for 3 years until his retirement. Then he was hired as Corporate Engineer for Dairymen’s Creamery in Caldwell, Idaho in1979 where he again retired in 1991. He said this was his ‘best job’ because there was always lots of projects and chances to look at new plants and machines. In 2007 they moved to a retirement community in Nampa, Idaho, where they lived until his death.
Richard was very industrious. He had a “magic bench” where his four daughters put broken items that were magically repaired. He was always remodeling and improving every home they purchased. In retirement he had a shop in his home and had numerous projects ongoing for many people in his life. He had a great dry sense of humor enjoyed by many.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Helen; 3 daughters, Shirley (Gene), Max (Dar) and Sandy (Greg); 9 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Jim (Allene) of Des Moines, IA and Paul (Debbie) Cooper of Albert Lea, MN. He was pre-deceased by his parents, and daughter Joanne.
In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 191 Water St, Alden, MN 56009 or American Legion, 151 N Broadway Ave, Alden, MN 56009.

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