Person talk:Robert Koopman (1)

[28 October 2013]

Life Story Robert J. Koopman knew what was important in life – that there was nothing more valuable, more lasting or more rewarding than giving all you can possibly give to your children, your family and your friends. Robert tried every day to be the best man he could, and was rewarded with a life of happiness for his efforts. The year was 1921, Douglas Fairbanks starred in the “Mark of Zorro” and Franklin D. Roosevelt was stricken with polio. That same year on July 6th, Henry and Nettie (Van Riper) Koopman of Chicago, Illinois, welcomed the birth of their third child, son Robert John. Little Robert was born with Lymphedema in his left leg, which would afflict him his entire life for there was no cure. Robert’s childhood was typical of the times and being the middle of six children, he was never without a playmate. His parents were of Dutch heritage and brought their children up with these traditional values and with an appreciation for their history. Henry, Robert’s father, worked in construction, which required quite a bit of traveling, particularly when he was on the crew that built the Pentagon. Meanwhile, Nettie was a busy homemaker and caring for their six children. Robert grew up in Roseland, a small suburb of Chicago, where he graduated from Fenger High School in 1939. After graduating, Robert and a few of his buddies decided to sow some wild oats and hopped a train headed out west. They got as far as Kansas and without any money they ended up at the police station asking for help and a place to stay. They obliged and the next morning the friends hopped a train for home. Like many young men of the time, Robert tried to fulfill his patriotic duty by enlisting in any one of the military branches, but his Lymphedema kept him from being accepted. Shortly after Robert graduated from high school, his parents retired and moved to Dowagiac, Michigan, where they owned and operated a gas station. It wasn’t long before Robert’s life took a new direction when he met the love of his life, Elsie, at a dance at the Grange Hall in Dowagiac. Over the next few months, their love for each other blossomed and they eloped to South Bend, Indiana, and were married. After saying I do, the newlyweds settled down to married life together living next door to Robert’s parents in Dowagiac. However, Robert soon got a job with Bendix Corporation in South Bend, and the young couple moved there, living in a small apartment. By the time their first anniversary came around, Robert and Elsie were also anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first child, who was due on their exact wedding day. Only their daughter, Phyllis, had other ideas and waited another month before being born. Little Phyllis was later joined by sisters, Judy and Elaine, and brother Robert, who tragically died at birth. During this time, Robert was working at Bendix, producing aircraft parts for the war efforts. However, he was soon following in his father’s footsteps and started a career in construction, working for Verkler Construction Company. Although his first duties were as a water boy, over the years, he learned the trade28-10-13 Print: Robert Koopman - Lawton, MI : Jul 6th1921- Jan22nd2005 www.lifestorynet.com/print/5441 2/3 well and became an excellent carpenter. Through his work, he helped build hospitals, high schools and churches in this community and throughout the area. He even built their family home on Prescott Street in South Bend, where they lived until his retirement. Robert eventually became part owner of the company, retiring in 1979 as Vice President. Robert and Elsie were traditional parents wherein she was a homemaker and he was an excellent provider for their family. However, Robert didn’t merely provide for his family in financial terms, he was always there for his daughters in every capacity he could. This was especially true when he and Elsie lost their daughters at young ages, Judy (26) and Elaine (21). Without hesitation, they took their grandchildren under their wing and lovingly helped raise them. His granddaughter Lisa adoringly said of her grandpa “he was a mother and father to us.” Robert had a gentle, nurturing nature about him and often used his quick, yet subtle wit when instilling valuable lessons in his family. His son-in-law, Ed, truly admired and loved him for this quality. Ed told of one incident where he was working on a project with Robert and he accidentally cut the sawhorse in half to which Robert just smiled and said, “I guess we didn’t need that anymore.” Phyllis remembers her father being very loving, but also tough. As a young adult, she couldn’t understand why her father charged her $15 a month rent to live in their home. She later found out that he had saved every penny of the rent money and bought her cherished gifts for her wedding day. Robert’s strong faith was a hallmark of his life. He, Elsie and their children were founding charter members of the Clay United Methodist Church. Their services were first held in a house but eventually, Robert’s company built their church, which stands today and has over 500 members. For many years, Robert and his family were very involved in the many church activities and faithfully attended every Sunday service together. In 1957, Robert and Elsie bought a cottage on Gravel Lake in Lawton and this was where they created a lifetime of memories with family and friends. A few years after Robert retired, they moved to the cottage and made it their permanent residence – the place he considered his favorite on earth. He and Elsie then became members of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Lawton. Being retired also meant that he had plenty of time to spend with his grandchildren, whom he adored. He followed every one of their sporting events and school activities. Some of his other hobbies he pursued during retirement included golfing, fishing, weekly penny poker games and bingo. Though, it was the social interaction with friends that he enjoyed the most. In his quiet moments, Robert liked to read the newspaper or watch the news and sporting events on television. After a hard days work, Robert enjoyed a couple of cold beers served in a small glass, so to enjoy them. He wasn’t an excessive drinker, except maybe on one occasion when he went fishing with his brothers-in-law and afterwards they stopped in at Melville’s, perhaps staying too long. On their way home, they went in a ditch and everyone ended up at Lakeview Hospital, including Robert with a couple of broken ribs. In 1997, family life took an impossibly difficult turn with his beloved wife’s death from lung cancer. The life of a widower was a great challenge for Robert, but with the love and help from his family and a support group, he was able to find the strength to go on. In fact, it didn’t take long for the ladies at the senior center to ravish him with their attentions – they could see he was a wonderfully, caring man. There was one particular woman, Dorothy Lull, who won Robert’s heart and they became engaged. Sadly, Dorothy died a few years later of lung cancer. Robert’s warm smile and sweet, caring demeanor led him to another special friend, Vivian Kinney. Before pursing their relationship, Vivian thoughtfully asked Robert’s daughter Phyllis for her permission to spend time with her father. Of course, the family was thrilled and the couple spent many wonderful moments together. Just about a year ago, Phyllis and Ed bought the cottage next door to her father’s, which was a great gift because now the grandchildren could come more often and although their bonfires may have kept him up a little later, Robert treasured every moment with them. With family as the cornerstone of his life, Robert28-10-13 Print: Robert Koopman - Lawton, MI : Jul 6th1921- Jan22nd2005 www.lifestorynet.com/print/5441 3/3 recently told his daughter Phyllis it was now her responsibility to take care of the family. Even in the end, he was making sure everyone was cared for. Throughout his life, Robert showed the sort of person he was: graceful and loving, always putting the needs of his family before his own. He was a man who knew the value of kindness and never had a bad thing to say about anyone. No matter what his circumstances in life were, Robert never asked “why me.” He was content to live in the moment appreciating his family, friends and events that brought his life incredible joy. Phyllis’ will forever remember her father cheerfully singing the Cowboy song in the car while her husband Ed will frequently remember his gentle spirit. All who knew Robert Koopman will treasure his memory. Robert John Koopman died on Saturday, January 22, 2005, at Lakeview Community Hospital in Paw Paw. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Elsie Koopman; a son, Robert E. Koopman; two daughters, Judy Oxley and Elaine Pickens; two brothers, Henry and Roger Koopman; and his fiancée, Dorothy Lull. Robert’s family includes his daughter, Phyllis (Edward) Oxley of Lawton; 6 grandchildren: Lisa Oxley, Chris (Jill) Oxley, Kevin Oxley, Ron (Winona) Pickens, Rick (Lori) Oxley and Keith Oxley; 9 great grandchildren; three sisters: Muriel Capps of Charlotte, NC, Kathryn Van Kooten of Tinely Park, IL, and Alice Sattelmaier of Marcellus, MI; also special friend, Vivian Kinney, and several nieces and nephews. To learn more about Robert’s life, friends may visit with Robert’s family on Monday, January 24, from 5:00- 8:00 p.m. at Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Home, M-40 South of I-94 Paw Paw, where a Life Story Service will be held on Tuesday, January 25, at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Ron Brooks of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church officiating. Interment at Oak Grove Cemetery with food and fellowship following at the church. Please visit Robert’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to St. Paul's United Methodist Church or the East Van Buren Seniors--henk 12:49, 28 October 2013 (UTC)