Nationally Known educator "a true gentlemen"
Crow-- Schools here will close early on Wednesday so faculty and students can attend the funeral of Edward Cooper, former school district superintendent who died at home Saturday after a four-year battle against cancer.
Cooper, who died at 66, was the exception to the rule that most small town school superintendents move on after for or five years. He headed the Crow district for 24 years until his retirement in 1977.
He is credited with leading the successful efforts to build a new hight school, in 1956 and a more modern high school in 1968.
More than most small town school superintendents, he became a factor in educational affairs that ranged far beyond his district.
A member of the LCC board since 1976, Cooper was praised Monday for his contributions to education at the county, state and national levels. During his working years, he was awarded a lifetime membership in the Oregon Congress of PTA and was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, a national organization which honors those who have made significant contributions in public education.
While at Crow, he launched a modest foreign exchange program that gave his students and facultly members the opportunity to study and work with counterparts from Central America. The system his since expended into an international program.
Cooper, born in a dugout house on a homestead near Richard, Colo., on June 25, 1917, moved with his family to Oregon in 1919. He attended schools in Dorena, then completed work on a bachelor's degree at Oregon College of Education at Monmouth. He graduated with a master's degree in education from the University of Oregon. He married Frances Alice French in Vancouver, Wash., on Sept. 8, 1942.
A member of the National Guard, he served as an Army first lieutenant in both World War II and the Korean War.
Beginning his educational career as a teacher-principal of Culp Creek Elementary School near Cottage Grove, he later taught at Dillard and then served as superintendent at Crow in 1953.
Betty Riddle who had know Cooper since he haired her as a district bus driver more then 20 years ago said Monday that "of all the people I have ever known, he made the greatest impact on my life."
Said Riddle: "He was a true gentleman who loved children and contributed so much to public education. He had so much to offer. It's a terribly sad day in Crow because of his passing."
Cooper drew special praise Monday from Eldon Schafer, Lane Community College president.
"Ed was a tremendous asset on the board, not only because of his interest in education but also because of his great sense of humor," said Schafer. "He had the ability to lessen tensions."
Warren Marshall, who served as principal of Crow High School from 1961 to 1979, said Cooper was "one of the finest men I ever knew or ever expect to know."
Cooper kept his finger on the pulse of the community where he had elected to spend most of his professional life. In the early 1970s, an interviewer once asked him how it was that the mainly blue collar population of the area seemed to accept the long haired residents of a large commune that had been established near Crow.
Cooper reflected for a moment and then gave an answer bluilt on grassroots rural psychology: "The people of Crow don't like hippies-- but these are our hippies."
The long time superintendent understood human nature and how to work with people, said Marshall. He was unique- a man you can't say enough about. He never gave up, even while gravely ill, to hear him talk you would have thought that he was going to get up the next day and have coffee with you."
Another close friend, Earl Ford of Veneta, a timber faller who was featured on the television progra "That's Incredible" after Cooper wrote a letter to the program's producers, described Cooper as a man of courage. "even when Ed was very ill, he wouldn't complain," Ford said. The only time I heard him complain was when he said he wished he could get out and cut wood like he used to love to do."
After starting the exchange program with American and Costa Rican teachers, Cooper received the help of the late Sen. Wayne Morse D-Ore. in expanding the project into the Partners of the Americans program, now reaching a number of states.
Cooper made extensive contacts in Washington, D.C., and Costa Rica, traveling to both places. The exchange program has become a model for other school districts.
A member of the Crow Grange and Route F Lions Club, Cooper was named in 1977 as the West Lane area's outstanding man of the year.
Survivors include his wife: six brothers, William and Henrly, both of Cottage Grove, LeRoy of Eugene, Kenneth of Bend, Charles of North Highland, Calif., and Franklin of Sterling, Va., a sister, Hazel Helfrich of Cottage Grove, and a number of niees and nephews.
The family has suggested that those who wish may make memorial gifts to the vocational equipment fund at Lane Community College.
A memorial service is scheduled at Chapel of Memories Funeral Home, Eugene, at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Richard Beebe, Crow School District superintendent, and Pastor Scotty Clark of the Eugene Friends Church will officiate.
Typed by Debra Donbraska Cooper (nee) Allott
Crow-- Schools here will close early on Wednesday so faculty and students can attend the funeral of Edward Cooper, former school district superintendent who died at home Saturday after a four-year battle against cancer.
Cooper, who died at 66, was the exception to the rule that most small town school superintendents move on after for or five years. He headed the Crow district for 24 years until his retirement in 1977.
He is credited with leading the successful efforts to build a new hight school, in 1956 and a more modern high school in 1968.
More than most small town school superintendents, he became a factor in educational affairs that ranged far beyond his district.
A member of the LCC board since 1976, Cooper was praised Monday for his contributions to education at the county, state and national levels. During his working years, he was awarded a lifetime membership in the Oregon Congress of PTA and was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, a national organization which honors those who have made significant contributions in public education.
While at Crow, he launched a modest foreign exchange program that gave his students and facultly members the opportunity to study and work with counterparts from Central America. The system his since expended into an international program.
Cooper, born in a dugout house on a homestead near Richard, Colo., on June 25, 1917, moved with his family to Oregon in 1919. He attended schools in Dorena, then completed work on a bachelor's degree at Oregon College of Education at Monmouth. He graduated with a master's degree in education from the University of Oregon. He married Frances Alice French in Vancouver, Wash., on Sept. 8, 1942.
A member of the National Guard, he served as an Army first lieutenant in both World War II and the Korean War.
Beginning his educational career as a teacher-principal of Culp Creek Elementary School near Cottage Grove, he later taught at Dillard and then served as superintendent at Crow in 1953.
Betty Riddle who had know Cooper since he haired her as a district bus driver more then 20 years ago said Monday that "of all the people I have ever known, he made the greatest impact on my life."
Said Riddle: "He was a true gentleman who loved children and contributed so much to public education. He had so much to offer. It's a terribly sad day in Crow because of his passing."
Cooper drew special praise Monday from Eldon Schafer, Lane Community College president.
"Ed was a tremendous asset on the board, not only because of his interest in education but also because of his great sense of humor," said Schafer. "He had the ability to lessen tensions."
Warren Marshall, who served as principal of Crow High School from 1961 to 1979, said Cooper was "one of the finest men I ever knew or ever expect to know."
Cooper kept his finger on the pulse of the community where he had elected to spend most of his professional life. In the early 1970s, an interviewer once asked him how it was that the mainly blue collar population of the area seemed to accept the long haired residents of a large commune that had been established near Crow.
Cooper reflected for a moment and then gave an answer bluilt on grassroots rural psychology: "The people of Crow don't like hippies-- but these are our hippies."
The long time superintendent understood human nature and how to work with people, said Marshall. He was unique- a man you can't say enough about. He never gave up, even while gravely ill, to hear him talk you would have thought that he was going to get up the next day and have coffee with you."
Another close friend, Earl Ford of Veneta, a timber faller who was featured on the television progra "That's Incredible" after Cooper wrote a letter to the program's producers, described Cooper as a man of courage. "even when Ed was very ill, he wouldn't complain," Ford said. The only time I heard him complain was when he said he wished he could get out and cut wood like he used to love to do."
After starting the exchange program with American and Costa Rican teachers, Cooper received the help of the late Sen. Wayne Morse D-Ore. in expanding the project into the Partners of the Americans program, now reaching a number of states.
Cooper made extensive contacts in Washington, D.C., and Costa Rica, traveling to both places. The exchange program has become a model for other school districts.
A member of the Crow Grange and Route F Lions Club, Cooper was named in 1977 as the West Lane area's outstanding man of the year.
Survivors include his wife: six brothers, William and Henrly, both of Cottage Grove, LeRoy of Eugene, Kenneth of Bend, Charles of North Highland, Calif., and Franklin of Sterling, Va., a sister, Hazel Helfrich of Cottage Grove, and a number of niees and nephews.
The family has suggested that those who wish may make memorial gifts to the vocational equipment fund at Lane Community College.
A memorial service is scheduled at Chapel of Memories Funeral Home, Eugene, at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Richard Beebe, Crow School District superintendent, and Pastor Scotty Clark of the Eugene Friends Church will officiate.
Typed by Debra Donbraska Cooper (nee) Allott
Nationally Known educator "a true gentlemen"
Crow-- Schools here will close early on Wednesday so faculty and students can attend the funeral of Edward Cooper, former school district superintendent who died at home Saturday after a four-year battle against cancer.
Cooper, who died at 66, was the exception to the rule that most small town school superintendents move on after for or five years. He headed the Crow district for 24 years until his retirement in 1977.
He is credited with leading the successful efforts to build a new hight school, in 1956 and a more modern high school in 1968.
More than most small town school superintendents, he became a factor in educational affairs that ranged far beyond his district.
A member of the LCC board since 1976, Cooper was praised Monday for his contributions to education at the county, state and national levels. During his working years, he was awarded a lifetime membership in the Oregon Congress of PTA and was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, a national organization which honors those who have made significant contributions in public education.
While at Crow, he launched a modest foreign exchange program that gave his students and facultly members the opportunity to study and work with counterparts from Central America. The system his since expended into an international program.
Cooper, born in a dugout house on a homestead near Richard, Colo., on June 25, 1917, moved with his family to Oregon in 1919. He attended schools in Dorena, then completed work on a bachelor's degree at Oregon College of Education at Monmouth. He graduated with a master's degree in education from the University of Oregon. He married Frances Alice French in Vancouver, Wash., on Sept. 8, 1942.
A member of the National Guard, he served as an Army first lieutenant in both World War II and the Korean War.
Beginning his educational career as a teacher-principal of Culp Creek Elementary School near Cottage Grove, he later taught at Dillard and then served as superintendent at Crow in 1953.
Betty Riddle who had know Cooper since he haired her as a district bus driver more then 20 years ago said Monday that "of all the people I have ever known, he made the greatest impact on my life."
Said Riddle: "He was a true gentleman who loved children and contributed so much to public education. He had so much to offer. It's a terribly sad day in Crow because of his passing."
Cooper drew special praise Monday from Eldon Schafer, Lane Community College president.
"Ed was a tremendous asset on the board, not only because of his interest in education but also because of his great sense of humor," said Schafer. "He had the ability to lessen tensions."
Warren Marshall, who served as principal of Crow High School from 1961 to 1979, said Cooper was "one of the finest men I ever knew or ever expect to know."
Cooper kept his finger on the pulse of the community where he had elected to spend most of his professional life. In the early 1970s, an interviewer once asked him how it was that the mainly blue collar population of the area seemed to accept the long haired residents of a large commune that had been established near Crow.
Cooper reflected for a moment and then gave an answer bluilt on grassroots rural psychology: "The people of Crow don't like hippies-- but these are our hippies."
The long time superintendent understood human nature and how to work with people, said Marshall. He was unique- a man you can't say enough about. He never gave up, even while gravely ill, to hear him talk you would have thought that he was going to get up the next day and have coffee with you."
Another close friend, Earl Ford of Veneta, a timber faller who was featured on the television progra "That's Incredible" after Cooper wrote a letter to the program's producers, described Cooper as a man of courage. "even when Ed was very ill, he wouldn't complain," Ford said. The only time I heard him complain was when he said he wished he could get out and cut wood like he used to love to do."
After starting the exchange program with American and Costa Rican teachers, Cooper received the help of the late Sen. Wayne Morse D-Ore. in expanding the project into the Partners of the Americans program, now reaching a number of states.
Cooper made extensive contacts in Washington, D.C., and Costa Rica, traveling to both places. The exchange program has become a model for other school districts.
A member of the Crow Grange and Route F Lions Club, Cooper was named in 1977 as the West Lane area's outstanding man of the year.
Survivors include his wife: six brothers, William and Henrly, both of Cottage Grove, LeRoy of Eugene, Kenneth of Bend, Charles of North Highland, Calif., and Franklin of Sterling, Va., a sister, Hazel Helfrich of Cottage Grove, and a number of niees and nephews.
The family has suggested that those who wish may make memorial gifts to the vocational equipment fund at Lane Community College.
A memorial service is scheduled at Chapel of Memories Funeral Home, Eugene, at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Richard Beebe, Crow School District superintendent, and Pastor Scotty Clark of the Eugene Friends Church will officiate.
Typed by Debra Donbraska Cooper (nee) Allott
Crow-- Schools here will close early on Wednesday so faculty and students can attend the funeral of Edward Cooper, former school district superintendent who died at home Saturday after a four-year battle against cancer.
Cooper, who died at 66, was the exception to the rule that most small town school superintendents move on after for or five years. He headed the Crow district for 24 years until his retirement in 1977.
He is credited with leading the successful efforts to build a new hight school, in 1956 and a more modern high school in 1968.
More than most small town school superintendents, he became a factor in educational affairs that ranged far beyond his district.
A member of the LCC board since 1976, Cooper was praised Monday for his contributions to education at the county, state and national levels. During his working years, he was awarded a lifetime membership in the Oregon Congress of PTA and was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, a national organization which honors those who have made significant contributions in public education.
While at Crow, he launched a modest foreign exchange program that gave his students and facultly members the opportunity to study and work with counterparts from Central America. The system his since expended into an international program.
Cooper, born in a dugout house on a homestead near Richard, Colo., on June 25, 1917, moved with his family to Oregon in 1919. He attended schools in Dorena, then completed work on a bachelor's degree at Oregon College of Education at Monmouth. He graduated with a master's degree in education from the University of Oregon. He married Frances Alice French in Vancouver, Wash., on Sept. 8, 1942.
A member of the National Guard, he served as an Army first lieutenant in both World War II and the Korean War.
Beginning his educational career as a teacher-principal of Culp Creek Elementary School near Cottage Grove, he later taught at Dillard and then served as superintendent at Crow in 1953.
Betty Riddle who had know Cooper since he haired her as a district bus driver more then 20 years ago said Monday that "of all the people I have ever known, he made the greatest impact on my life."
Said Riddle: "He was a true gentleman who loved children and contributed so much to public education. He had so much to offer. It's a terribly sad day in Crow because of his passing."
Cooper drew special praise Monday from Eldon Schafer, Lane Community College president.
"Ed was a tremendous asset on the board, not only because of his interest in education but also because of his great sense of humor," said Schafer. "He had the ability to lessen tensions."
Warren Marshall, who served as principal of Crow High School from 1961 to 1979, said Cooper was "one of the finest men I ever knew or ever expect to know."
Cooper kept his finger on the pulse of the community where he had elected to spend most of his professional life. In the early 1970s, an interviewer once asked him how it was that the mainly blue collar population of the area seemed to accept the long haired residents of a large commune that had been established near Crow.
Cooper reflected for a moment and then gave an answer bluilt on grassroots rural psychology: "The people of Crow don't like hippies-- but these are our hippies."
The long time superintendent understood human nature and how to work with people, said Marshall. He was unique- a man you can't say enough about. He never gave up, even while gravely ill, to hear him talk you would have thought that he was going to get up the next day and have coffee with you."
Another close friend, Earl Ford of Veneta, a timber faller who was featured on the television progra "That's Incredible" after Cooper wrote a letter to the program's producers, described Cooper as a man of courage. "even when Ed was very ill, he wouldn't complain," Ford said. The only time I heard him complain was when he said he wished he could get out and cut wood like he used to love to do."
After starting the exchange program with American and Costa Rican teachers, Cooper received the help of the late Sen. Wayne Morse D-Ore. in expanding the project into the Partners of the Americans program, now reaching a number of states.
Cooper made extensive contacts in Washington, D.C., and Costa Rica, traveling to both places. The exchange program has become a model for other school districts.
A member of the Crow Grange and Route F Lions Club, Cooper was named in 1977 as the West Lane area's outstanding man of the year.
Survivors include his wife: six brothers, William and Henrly, both of Cottage Grove, LeRoy of Eugene, Kenneth of Bend, Charles of North Highland, Calif., and Franklin of Sterling, Va., a sister, Hazel Helfrich of Cottage Grove, and a number of niees and nephews.
The family has suggested that those who wish may make memorial gifts to the vocational equipment fund at Lane Community College.
A memorial service is scheduled at Chapel of Memories Funeral Home, Eugene, at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Richard Beebe, Crow School District superintendent, and Pastor Scotty Clark of the Eugene Friends Church will officiate.
Typed by Debra Donbraska Cooper (nee) Allott
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