Robert "Bob" Gary Cooper, Sr.

Robert (Bob) Gary Cooper Sr. of Topeka, KS, passed away on October 2, 2026 at Rolling Hills Nursing Home after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 86 years old.

Born on August 18, 1940, in Syracuse, NY to Garrett Cooper and Edna Samson, Bob grew up in Lacona, NY and graduated from Sandy Creek High School, NY.

At the age of 20, Bob proudly enlisted in the United States Air Force. He actively served from 1961 to 1969, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant.

During his service, he was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany; Schilling AFB Salina, KS; Nakhon Phanom (NKP) RTAB, Thailand; and Warner Robins AFB, GA.

Bob’s deployment to NKP Thailand was part of a then classified tour of duty where he was not informed of his destination until arrival. The top secret mission of NKP was the interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh trail in Laos in support of the war in Vietnam.

Bob was awarded the Vietnam Service, Good Conduct, and National Defense medals, and was authorized to wear the Presidential Unit Citation w cluster, Outstanding Unit, Longevity Service, Small Arms Expert and Vietnam Campaign ribbons.

His military service earned him membership in VFW Post 1650, The American Legion and the Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, (TLC) Brotherhood.

While in the USAF at Schilling AFB, KS, Bob met the love of his life (Edna) Louise Stark, and they married on September 1, 1964. They recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary.

Following his service, Bob and Louise settled in Lindsborg, KS where Bob worked as a salesman for grocery wholesaler Greer-Carver Inc. Bob later took a promotion with Greer-Carver that took him and family to Topeka, KS. He later changed careers to being a financial advisor with Paine-Webber (UBS) in Topeka, a career he retired from after 24 years.

Outside of work and service, Bob loved golfing, reading, bowling and tending to his gardens of rose bushes, tulips, hostas, and vegetables. Bob was also baptized into the Methodist Church and had attended Lowman United Methodist Church in Topeka. He will be remembered for following the Golden Rule.

Bob is survived by his loving wife Louise, his son Bob (Michelle) Cooper, two grandchildren (Aisha and Arick) and, four brothers, Tom, Paul, Walt, and Mike.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, sister Sandy and brother Ronnie.

A graveside service with military honors will be scheduled for a later date in Lindsborg, KS.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to either of these 2 organizations:

The VFW Post 1650, 3110 SW Huntoon Street, Topeka KS 66604 or The First Baptist Church,1111 E Swenson Street, Lindsborg KS 67456