Robert Cooper

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Robert Cooper, 90, of Faulkton, went to be with the Lord, Friday, March 30, 2012 at the Faulkton Healthcare Center.

A memorial service was held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at the United Church of Faulkton with Pastor Bill Hoffman officiating. A prayer service was held at 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 2, 2012 at the church. Burial of his cremains was held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 4, 2012 in the Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis with full military honors.  

Robert Louis Cooper was born April 14, 1921 in rural Faulk County to James and Margaret (Johnson) Cooper. He received his elementary education in several rural schools and attended both Seneca and Faulkton High Schools. Following graduation, Bob traveled several years with Nels Wahlen threshing crew; harvesting on farms all around Faulk County. The last two years before he was inducted into the United States Army, he managed the John P. Shirk ranch, northwest of Faulkton, land now owned by the Schilder family.

Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force in October, 1941 just before Pearl Harbor, but was not accepted. He was then inducted into the United States Army, October 1942 and received his basic training at Camp Campbell, Kentucky. After basic training, the division in its entirety was transported to Camp Barkley near Abilene, Texas. The 12^th Armored Division was a fledging division; that grew to 15,000. In September the division shipped via Liverpool, England and then to the ETO (European Theater of Operations) landing in LeHavre, France. There the division was attached to the seventh Army, commanded by General Patch. The seventh Armored in tandem with the third Army commanded by General George Patton spearheaded clear across southern Europe. Because of the 12^th’s well trained expertise and its success in combat they were dubbed “The Hellcat Division” of Southern Europe. Along with all the brave and gallant Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Air Forces Fliers and all Allied Forces, they started pushing the Nazi German Army back, but the German Army at the beginning was also fierce and powerful and they pushed back. So at times the war was not going as well as Allied Forces would have liked, but our Allied Forces were relentless and eventually pushed them to their knees to defeat and surrender. This ended with the Peace Treaty with VE Day in May 1945. Bob returned from overseas in October, 1945.

On Bob’s return to the states, he became engaged in share farming with Ernest and Phoebe Johnson in DeVoe Township for three years. Evelyn and Bob then ran a little country store in Norbeck for a year before returning to Faulkton, the place of their birth where Evelyn and Bob remained the rest of his life. He was employed by Faulk County Highway Department as a heavy equipment operator for 43 years.

Bob was a member for 60 years of the 12^th Armored Hellcat Division Association; 63 years with IOOF (Independent Order of Odd Fellows), serving as presiding officer (Noble Grand) for two terms and recording secretary for 40 years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, serving 11 pastors, serving as head usher for 56 years, ushering many-many funerals during those years, serving on several committees of the Administrative Board and as president of the Methodist Men for two years; he was a 25 years EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), being certified with the State Board of Health all those years by completing the required hours of continuing education annually; 24 years with the Seneca Sunflower Square Dance Club, serving as co-president with Evelyn for three years and secretary/treasurer for six years; 57 year member of Couples Winter Card Club.

Evelyn and Bob loved spending all their time together. They ran 10K (6.2 miles) races several years, wining many ribbons and medals, they enjoyed riding bike for hundreds of miles, and traveling all 48 continental states, visiting many manmade and natural wonders. He loved being with his immediate and extended family; especially enjoying his summers with Brooke, Kirby, and Jacob spent in Faulkton.

Remaining to cherish the memory of his love for life are his beloved wife Evelyn of 69 years, 236 days; son-in-law: Ron Leighty of Rapid City and his family grandchildren: Brooke (Jennifer) Leighty of Spearfish and Kirby (Kerry) Leighty of Rapid City; great grandchildren: Jacob Leighty, and Hayden and Beck Leighty all of Rapid City; step great grandchildren: Dalton & Kacee Dunbar; his son:  Lynn Cooper of Mountain View, Cali and his family grandchildren: Cami (David) Mulholland and Tonya Copper of Denver, CO; and great grandchildren: Ameila and Finley Mulholland of Denver, CO.

Proceeding him in death were his parents; daughter, Toni Leighty; three sister: Marjorie (1992), Ruth (1987) and Doris (2005); three brothers: Chuck (who died in Normandy Beach in France 1944), Melvin (1982) and Donald (1995).

To sum up his life; Bob had a zest for living, for making every moment count and making love and laughter part of each and every day!

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Robert’s arrangements.