Robert Graham Cooper Jr. MD

May 2, 1948 – March 16, 2023 

Robert Graham Cooper Jr. MD   Devoted father, husband, and physician.

Robert Graham Cooper Jr., 74, died on the morning of March 16, 2023 at home with his family at his side. He is survived by his wife, Monica (Rush) and their children Olivia and Nigel; and, Leigh (Cooper-Brown) his Grandson, Barrett; and sons, Robert, Tyler, and Bryce. He is also survived by his siblings Constance Cooper Fobes, Candace Alford, Amanda Bowen (David) and his brother J. Barrett (Kaylyn); his Aunt Shirley Huber, Uncle Donald L. Schleter, and cousin Ann (Cooper) Adinolfi of Greenwood and many other family members. He was preceded in death by his parents Dr. Robert and Mrs. Irma (Huber) Cooper, Sr. of Louisville, KY and by his grandparents Paul and Francis (Ault) Huber, Aunt Mary (Huber) Schleter, cousin Donald L. Schleter, Jr. all of Seymour, IN.    

Robert was born on May 2, 1948, to Dr. and Mrs. Robert and Irma Cooper. Robert grew up in Louisville, Kentucky where he learned to ride and show American Saddlebred Horses for which he held a life-long passion.  

After graduating from Westport High School in 1966, Robert attended the University of Louisville. In 1967, he enlisted as a member of the 165th Airlift Squadron TAC Recon Hospital, a unit of the Kentucky Air National Guard 123rd Airlift Wing in Louisville, KY. and was called to active duty overseas from 1967 to 1970. During this time, Robert was stationed at Itazuke Air Force Base in Japan. When Robert returned home, he resumed his studies and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from University of Louisville in 1973. That same year he was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force Reserve as a Staff Sergeant.  

Robert attended University of Louisville Medical School where he received his Doctor of Medicine in 1977. In 1982, Robert completed his Surgical Internship and Residency at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts where he served as Chief Surgical Resident and Clinical Instructor.  

Dr. Cooper lived with an ever-positive outlook. He embraced every problem as an opportunity for growth and betterment. He always thought of surgery as an art form and his skills provided the opportunity to serve and care for others. There are patients and colleagues in hospitals and healthcare facilities in many states and globally, who feel deeply the loss of this special human being who happily served his patients around the clock. Dr. Cooper was well known for his warmth and truly caring bedside manner. He possessed an admirable body of knowledge and technical skills which he humbly shared when mentoring others. 

In 2005, Dr. Cooper and his family moved to Seymour, Indiana and joined the surgical staff of Schneck Medical Center. In 2008 he founded and was Medical Director of the Bariatric program which became a Center of Excellence under his guidance and direction. Dr. Cooper also enjoyed many years working at Physicians Medical Center in New Albany, IN.  A memorial service is being planned for late June. Also see legacy.com.

Dr. Cooper personified kindness, humility, and brilliance throughout his life and career for which he will always be remembered.