Obituary of Richard A Cooper

Richard (Dick) A. Cooper, age 73, died peacefully after a long illness on July 12, 2024. Preceded in death by parents, Dr. Robert and Mary Cooper, and wife Pamela E. Cooper, he is survived by daughter Molly Humbert, grandsons Kyle and Brett Humbert, daughter Cara Berger and son-in-law Wesley Berger.

Dick was born July 22, 1950 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up in suburban Edina. As a child he excelled as a trombone player, acting in Pop Concert skits, was known as a gifted prankster and developed life-long friendships. In 1972, he married fellow Edina classmate, Pamela Swendseen. They were married for 46 years before her passing.

Dick had a long and distinguished career at Caterpillar Inc., which sent him all over the world. Dick developed a reputation as a highly effective manufacturing manager, who was repeatedly called upon by Caterpillar to improve performance at under-performing heavy equipment factories. Dick retired in 2013 living in downtown Chicago.

Traveling and working across the globe afforded Dick numerous long-standing relationships and memories which he cherished. The only thing Dick enjoyed more than recounting stories about his travels to Europe, meet ups with long distance friends, listening to music, and fine dinners; was talking about his beloved wife Pam and their time together.

In 2015 he moved to Boston with his wife so she could receive medical treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. After her passing in 2018, Dick’s health began to decline. He moved back to Minneapolis in April 2022 to be closer to family and friends.

A memorial service is planned at Lakewood Cemetery for October 11th, 2024, at 10am. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Dick Cooper to support cancer research and patient care at:

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

P.O. Box 849168

Boston, MA 02284

or via dana-farber.org/gift.