Dr. Robert Francis Cooper DDS, passed away peacefully at his home in Ottawa on December 5th, 2023. He was born in Saint John, NB, the son of the late William Thomas Cooper and the late Inez Roxanna (Rathburn) Cooper.
Bob leaves behind his best friend and loving wife of 23 years, Julia Sloane.
Bob will be dearly missed by his children Deborah Kerwin and J. Andrew Cooper (Lara), both of St Andrews, NB., and his grandchildren, Emilia Cooper, Paulina Cooper, Jillian Kerwin, and Jennifer Kerwin.
He will be fondly remembered by his brothers Bill (Elaine) of Moncton, NB, and Tom (Sharron) of Grande Prairie, AB, his aunt Joan (Tippy) Morris of Mississauga ON, and cousin Roberta Morris of Etobicoke, ON, as well as nephew Bill and nieces Zoe, Jill, Romy, Laura and Julie.
He was predeceased by his sister Roxanna, brothers Ben and Jack, niece Becky, nephew Josh, and uncle Eldon Rathburn.
Bob graduated from Moncton High School in 1958 and was Valedictorian. He went to Dalhousie University Dental School receiving his DDS. He then served in the Military from 1959 until 1971 in many areas of Canada and Europe. Following that he practiced Family Dentistry in Milltown, NB, and surrounding areas for 10 years.
In 1981, Bob returned to the military retiring in 1996. Always busy, he obtained a Masters degree in Military History from the University of New Brunswick and a Masters degree in Public Dental Health from the University of Toronto. Bob had many unique interests. For years after retiring, he served as a consultant to Veterans Affairs and to Health Canada. He loved reading and travel, particularly with Julia, and did both as often as possible.
Interment will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at the National Military Cemetery (280 Beechwood Ave., Ottawa, ON) at 1:00 pm followed by a Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to charity of your choice.
Digital Guestbook
LCol (Retired) Euan Swan
Michael Bisson
Bob was a kind and happy person. I will miss him.
Dwight/ Helen Hayward
We will miss Bob terribly. We always enjoyed his wit and wonderful sense of humour! Always made us laugh. RIP dear friend !
Paula cooper-bertke
Thanks for the 29 years that we shared together and our wonderful children Andrew and Deborah
May you rest in peace and never forgotten.
Joan R Morris
Bob, aka Butch came into my life when I was two and a half years old, thereby becoming part of an odd nephew/aunt relationship that has carried on for over 80 years. His wit and humour will be missed by many. RIP Aunt Tip
Bob was a unique individual who asked the critical questions to get to the heart of the matter. During his dental public health studies at the University of Toronto he critically appraised draft versions of the evolving Canadian Forces Dental Care Program. On arrival at NDHQ he was involved in the development and implementation of DentIS. Bob had a special skill of gathering information and intelligence by taking his coffee and smoke breaks with medical personnel and others thus knowing which way the political wind was blowing in Ottawa! The attached photo illustrates the efforts Bob went to in order to provide preventive dental services to his patients! Bob’s smile, laughter and wit will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know him.