SARASOTA -- Dr. Kenneth Cooper's love of dentistry and helping others led him to the Senior Friendship Centers in retirement so he could help low-income residents be fitted with dentures.
Cooper, 77, who died Jan. 9 from injuries after a recent fall, capped his 40-year dental career in Sarasota by volunteering at the senior center's dental clinic for nearly a decade. Twice a week he spent several hours taking dental impressions and adjusting people's dentures and bridges to improve the quality of their lives.
Like his father, a civic-minded dentist in Birmingham, Ala., Cooper made time for community involvement since moving to Sarasota in 1959 to start his practice and raise a family.
"They felt they should return something to the community because the community helped them," said Corinne Cooper, Kenneth Cooper's wife of 53 years. "He's been active ever since dental school, when he was president of his senior class."
Drawn to Sarasota after dental school because he enjoyed boating and fishing, Cooper also served on the boards of the YMCA, the United Way and two local banks, and was president of two Rotary clubs during his career. He also served as president of the Sarasota Dental Society and commodore of the Field Club of Sarasota.
In later years, he served on the board of the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital Foundation in Highlands, N.C., where he spent several summers practicing dentistry before he retired. Even after he retired, he continued his civic work in North Carolina, where he and his wife spent their summers.
He also enjoyed playing golf as often as three times a week. "He was a loving, caring and driven man who wanted to do his best, whether was at work or on the golf course," said his son, Ken Cooper Jr. of Winter Springs.
The elder Cooper also was known for his eager smile and cheerful and outgoing disposition that often included a bear hug.
He was born Sept. 17, 1930, and served in the Marines in the final stages of the Korean War.
In addition to his wife and son, he is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Harold Joslin of Sarasota; two sisters: Faye Gates of Wilmington, Del., and Katherine Tranum of Birmingham, Ala.; and a brother, Don Cooper of Murphy, N.C.
Arrangements for a celebration of life service are pending.
Memorial donations may be made to the Senior Friendship Centers Dental Clinic, 1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota, FL 34236, or the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 742, Highlands, NC 28741.
By MARK ZALOUDEK
Published: Sunday, January 13, 2008
Sarasota Herald Tribune, Sarasota FL
SARASOTA -- Dr. Kenneth Cooper's love of dentistry and helping others led him to the Senior Friendship Centers in retirement so he could help low-income residents be fitted with dentures.
Cooper, 77, who died Jan. 9 from injuries after a recent fall, capped his 40-year dental career in Sarasota by volunteering at the senior center's dental clinic for nearly a decade. Twice a week he spent several hours taking dental impressions and adjusting people's dentures and bridges to improve the quality of their lives.
Like his father, a civic-minded dentist in Birmingham, Ala., Cooper made time for community involvement since moving to Sarasota in 1959 to start his practice and raise a family.
"They felt they should return something to the community because the community helped them," said Corinne Cooper, Kenneth Cooper's wife of 53 years. "He's been active ever since dental school, when he was president of his senior class."
Drawn to Sarasota after dental school because he enjoyed boating and fishing, Cooper also served on the boards of the YMCA, the United Way and two local banks, and was president of two Rotary clubs during his career. He also served as president of the Sarasota Dental Society and commodore of the Field Club of Sarasota.
In later years, he served on the board of the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital Foundation in Highlands, N.C., where he spent several summers practicing dentistry before he retired. Even after he retired, he continued his civic work in North Carolina, where he and his wife spent their summers.
He also enjoyed playing golf as often as three times a week. "He was a loving, caring and driven man who wanted to do his best, whether was at work or on the golf course," said his son, Ken Cooper Jr. of Winter Springs.
The elder Cooper also was known for his eager smile and cheerful and outgoing disposition that often included a bear hug.
He was born Sept. 17, 1930, and served in the Marines in the final stages of the Korean War.
In addition to his wife and son, he is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Harold Joslin of Sarasota; two sisters: Faye Gates of Wilmington, Del., and Katherine Tranum of Birmingham, Ala.; and a brother, Don Cooper of Murphy, N.C.
Arrangements for a celebration of life service are pending.
Memorial donations may be made to the Senior Friendship Centers Dental Clinic, 1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota, FL 34236, or the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 742, Highlands, NC 28741.
By MARK ZALOUDEK
Published: Sunday, January 13, 2008
Sarasota Herald Tribune, Sarasota FL
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
