Robert ‘Bob’ Cooper Jr.

Robert H. Cooper Jr. (Bob) passed away on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, VA, surrounded by many members of his family.

Bob was born in Charles City, Iowa, on Sept. 19, 1945, to Ruth Deems Cooper and Robert Hamilton Cooper Sr. He graduated from Charles City High School where he was a good student who enjoyed music and sports, especially golf. In 1965 he enrolled at Luther College, but soon thereafter entered the U.S. Air Force. He began his service in San Antonio, Texas. From 1967-68 he served in DaNang, Vietnam. He continued in the Air Force until August 1971.

Bob continued his education, graduating from UNI in 1972 with a BA and from the University of Nebraska, Omaha in 1979 with a Masters in Public Administration. He had a long career in Iowa in schools in Council Bluffs, Newton, Independence and Rockford, which included teaching, Assistant Principal and Business Manager. At that time he especially enjoyed teaching chess and starting chess clubs.

In 1992 he joined the U.S. State Department as a General Service Officer, serving in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Antwerp, Belgium. While abroad he continued his love for bike racing, having participated in several RAGBRAI races, as well as races in Colorado.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Mary Comfort Cooper, his son Josh, and step-children Gabby Comfort and Thomas Jordon Comfort; his former spouse Barbara J. Cooper, and their children Valerie Dufoe (John), Tony Cooper (Sandra) and Alicia Perry; brother James W. Cooper (Vicki) and his sister Mary Catherine Savage (Frederick); as well as 10 grandchildren: Alex Dufoe, Alyssa Case, Kevin Perry Jr., Maxx Cooper, Mira Cooper, Emma Stockman, Garrett Brewton, Amanda Kish, and Jordon and McKayla Comfort.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 15, at 12:30 p.m. at Johnson’s Funeral Home in Orange, VA 22508. Burial services will follow at Culpepper National Cemetery at 2 p.m.