Celebrating the life of
Robert Scotland Cooper, Sr.
February 20, 1928 - November 24, 2016
SAVANNAH - Robert Scotland Cooper Sr., born Feb. 20, 1928, died peacefully on Thanksgiving Day November 24, 2016, surrounded by his family and is missed already for his warmth, wit, kind-hearted gentleness and love.
He is preceded in death by his beloved Mary Emmeline King Cooper who died on Dec. 26, 2007. They were married on her birthday, Sept. 10, 1955 and spent 52 wonderful years together.
Robert was born at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta to Cdr. Henry George Cooper, USN and Janet Evins Cooper. In the years leading up to WWII, Commander Cooper served with distinction at posts near and distant. Robert often proudly claimed that he had attended 13 grammar schools during his formative years. He lived for periods in Atlanta, Charleston, SC. Newport RI, New Orleans, and attended Pearl River Military Academy. But, he loved most the time he spent with his parents, brother, Samuel Evins Cooper and sister Caroline in the Orient. An avid and gifted storyteller, he often shared his vivid memories of his mother, a Sorbonne-trained artist, painting scenes along the seawall at the Olongapo Naval Base on Subic Bay in the Philippines. His tales were full of the taste of sweet mangoes, gentle air and fascinating people he knew there though he was only six at the time.
Robert enjoyed and sought a military life. He was accepted at the Citadel Military Academy in Charleston and completed his his bachelors degree there in 1951.
After graduation, his passion for all things aeronautical led him to take a job at the Cleveland Model and Supply Co. in Ohio. Many of the people he met while there remained life-long friends. His natural musical talents flourished and he started learning and performing with his clear tenor voice and classical guitar accompaniment.
Fortune brought him to Savannah in 1953 where he began his 27-year career with the Corps of Engineers. But more importantly, he met and married his soulmate Emmeline. During a brief stint in Buffalo, NY their first son, Ruskin King Cooper was born on September 28, 1957. They loaded up Robert’s MG roadster with his Shop-smith–a birthday gift from Emmeline–in tow and came back south to settle in Savannah. Pioneers at heart, they purchased a lovely but dusty townhouse on West Perry St. in March of 1959. Banks were not eager to make loans on downtown properties then but Robert managed to finalize the mortgage with terrifyingly high payments of $69 per month. Robert swore when it was paid off, that he and Emmeline would be living on easy street. Later that year, on December 3, Robert S. Cooper Jr was born. Their house was one filled with happy memories of nights laughing and playing music and jovial evenings gathered around the kitchen table.
Robert had a wood working shop there and begin building lutes, earning the respect of his friend and mentor Richard Dyer-Bennett. Robert’s enthusiasm to renew interest in the then-obscure early instruments prompted him to publish his book Lute Construction in 1963.
Their third son Graham Patteson Weisiger Cooper was born on June 23, 1970.
Robert became renowned for his fine and imaginative woodworking skills. His lutes have been played by some of the great performers of early music–Dyer Bennett, Donna Curry and Carver Blanchard. His scale models of primarily WWI-era airplanes are recognized as some of the finest in the country.
He retired from the Corps of Engineers in 1980 and devoted his full attention to Cooper Workshop. He was often sought out to do the jobs that no one else could do as well, or at all.
Music, airplanes and woodworking were the things Robert did, but they are not who he was. He was always busy in his shop–Emmeline would sometimes have to hold supper because he was in the middle of a glue job–but he was never too busy for the boys whether it was a science project or just a tricky part of an airplane model. He was a patient and encouraging teacher. He had a way of seeing the final product and knew how to get a job done the right way. He said when he was working on a lute or an airplane that time had no meaning.
Robert is preceded in death by his adored and adoring wife Emmeline and son Ruskin who died in 2012. and leaves behind, sons Robert and Graham (Lisa) granddaughters Valerie Emmeline and Hedda Eugenie King Cooper daughters of Robert and grandsons Benjamin King and Samuel Mallard Cooper sons of Graham and Lisa.
The family would like to thank Harriet Speer for her love and support, Francine Cail for her tender care during Robert’s final days as well as the staff of Hospice Savannah without whose help those days would not have been as peaceful. Remembrances should be made to Hospice Savannah. There will be a memorial service at Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church on Saturday December 10, at 11 a.m.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com
May your gentle soul rest with the almighty ... none of you should fall Victim like i did with the credit repair adverts, I’ve been ripped off a couple times before i luckily got a reliable contact named Dennis Maron that works with utmost discretion in all sorts of hacks. I initially had a SCORE of 495 with late payments and lingering debts that wouldn’t let me qualify for anything. After 2 weeks Dennis completed his working on my score and it amazingly became 802 with no more negative items and I’m free to apply for anything. So happy right now because it’s surprisingly amazing to ascertain such a result after several bad experience. Contact Him on ghostmaron47 at gmail dot com or 917-722-6913 and you're free to say Alisa Humber referred you.
- Alisa Humber, oklahoma city, OK
Youdoneedgreatcredit-at-gmailcom worked diligently on my behalf to help boost my credit. Their service is phenomenal, determined by results reflected on currently updated profile.I would highly recommend their service to anyone I know, and I am sharing this for others out there that needs help so you do not give up on credit repair. My only regret is not utilizing their service earlier…but its better late than never.
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We are direct providers of Fresh Cut BG, SBLC and MTN which are specifically for lease, our bank instrument can be engage in PPP Trading, Discounting, signature project (s) such as Aviation, Agriculture, Petroleum, Telecommunication, construction of Dams, Bridges, Real Estate and all kind of projects. We do not have any broker chain in our offer or get involved in chauffer driven offers. We deliver with time and precision as sethforth in the agreement. Our terms and Conditions are reasonable, below is our instrument description. The procedure is very simple; the instrument will be reserved on euro clear to be verified by your bank, after verification an arrangement will be made for necessary bank documents and stock testing expenses, the cost of the Bank Guarantee will be paid after the delivery of the MT760, DESCRIPTION OF INSTRUMENTS: 1. Instrument: Bank Guarantee (BG/SBLC) (Appendix A) 2. Total Face Value: Eur 5M MIN and Eur 10B MAX (Ten Billion USD). 3. Issuing Bank: HSBC Bank London, Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank. 4. Age: One Year, One Month 5. Leasing Price: 6% of Face Value plus 2% commission fees to brokers. 6. Delivery: Bank to Bank swift. 7. Payment: MT-103 or MT760 8. Hard Copy: Bonded Courier within 7 banking days.
- Salomon & Salomon, burnet, none
I knew Robert for many years. A super nice fun person. We worked together on Yacht for around 6 months at the old Thunderbolt Marine. We are losing so many of the woodworkers...Harry Lane and many of the crew at Randy Wood's shop. RIP Robert
- Roger Brucker, savannah, ga
Mr. Cooper inspired me to pursue aviation which yielded a book dedicated to him. Amazing man. I'll miss him. Breck
- Breck Baldwin, New York, NY
Emmeline has been a best friend from 1st grade at Pape School. I will ALWAYS remember how she glowed as she told Anna Gounaris and me about this "beautiful young man" she met at a week-end house party. She kept Anna and I listening and listening and . . . to all the marvelous things about "Robert" - the only thing she didn't know about him was his last name! Which just proves that a marriage made in Heaven can not be stopped! I have such happy memories of growing up, being young wives and mother's and of Robert and Emu being at our 50th Wedding Anniversary in Virginia. They may be gone from us but they are just a smile away in our Happy Memories. God bless you as He always has! My love and sympathy are with you all, Sue Ward
- Sue McDuffee Ward ("Suey"), MIdlothian, VA
There was no one on the planet like my uncle Robert. I'm not sure I really realized this until just a few years ago during my last visit to Savannah. I spent some time with him in his shop and really understood how incredibly creative he was. I'm so proud he was my uncle... Such an amazing and accomplished man. I will miss him very much. Sending loads of love to his equally talented sons and grand children.
- Laura Thomasson, niece , Dirham, NC
Robert would sing about the fox and the little ones and the bonesoo when I was young in Oxford. Loved our visit with Robert and Emmeline in Savanah. Can still hear her calling him Robert my love. June
- June hall gray, Gastonia , Nc
What a unique man, indeed, a unique family. One first memory is eating Emmeline's wonderful soup and the last is of Bill showing off his latest guitar, I have a photograph where your father seemed as happy as Bill. What an honor to know you all. Please accept my deepest condolences, Anne
- Anne Bidez Schumann, Savannah, Georgia
We have so enjoyed our long and friendly neighborhood friendship and having had Robert, Robert and Emmeline across the street, and Graham and Lisa and their boys around the block. Fondest and deepest sympathies to this wonderful family for which we have many fond memories.
- Cooper & Deborah Glenn, Savannah, GA
My sincere condolences to the Cooper family during this difficult time. It was always a pleasant surprise when Mr. Cooper shared his talents at the coffee.deli jam.
- Faye Allen, Savannah , GA
Rob and Graham... and all the family, immediate and extended... I send my sincere condolences. I loved your father just as I did your mother. You know that, I am certain.
- Scott Kinsey, Sheldon, SC
I will miss them both,they were special spirits.
- , Savannah, Ga.
What a full life, lived well and pure in all Robert did. We won't see the likes of him or Emmeline again in this world, and are are richer for having known them. My late parents Joan and Ben Jones thought the world of them, all the way back to days at Christ Church. Robert and Daddy were both Citadel men, with their years at the college overlapping, too. It was a pleasure to see Robert around Gordonston and to chat with him...we'd come away knowing we'd been in smart company! Our neighborhood has been blessed with some of Savannah's finest people, Robert among them. His brilliance will be missed, never forgotten.
- Julia J. Williams, Savannah, Georgia
What a beautifully written tribute for a much loved gentleman.My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
- Kay Edenfield , Brunswick , Ga
What a beautiful life. We send our deepest sympathies to you Robert, and all that knew and loved your father.
- Dr. Mark White & Kim Griffin White, Panama City, FL
Such a loss for the family and for Savannah! Mr. And Mrs. Cooper were the epitome of southern charm and gentility. You always felt welcome in their presence and genuinely felt that they were pleased to see you. Mr. Cooper's various talents were well known and he was always gracious to those who would want to learn from him. Fortunately, "the apple did not fall far from the tree". Their children have shown us a preview of their true inheritance with their own charm and unique talents. Our sincere condolences go out to the Cooper family.
- John and Jane Mullino, Savannah, GA
Robert and Emmeline were wonderful friends and neighbors, perhaps the kindest and most gracious people I've ever known. Both great examples of how to live a fulfilling life and how to treat others. Much love to the family. Kathryn and Peter
- Kathryn Tanner, Savannah, GA
Such a dear person A light has gone out How he will be missed !
- , ,
What an exciting life mr Cooper led! And so enjoyed when he played gtr at our Wed nite group! I look forward to hearing his son Robbie tell many stories about him!
- Tom Cooler, Savannah, ga
We had the good fortune to meet mr cooper a couple of years Ago and he graciously took my wife and I on a tour of his workshop. What an amazing man and life. We extend our deepest condolences for your loss Marty&Sherry Piepoli
- Piepoli, Marietta, Ga
Much time has passed and many things happened since I met the amazing Cooper family ,and am forever Thankful for any of the times we shared .So long great friend ...you are now with your beloved Emmeline.
- Ramsey &Pam Khalidi , Savannah , Ga
Graham and family, I am sorry for your loss. Wow, what an interesting and successful life your Dad lived. I enjoyed my days teaching with Emmaline at SCDS but never knew your Dad was so talented. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Coach Kirkley
- Lamar Kirkley, Savannah, Ga
Graham, Lisa, Ben and Sam- I am so very sorry for your loss. What a remarkable man! My prayers are with all of you. Susan
- Susan Broker, Savannah, GA
I am so sorry to hear the sad news of Robert's passing. Robert was an incredibly kind, learned, and generous man. I consider myself lucky to have known him. I had tremendous respect for his knowledge and skills. He patiently indulged my enthusiasm for model airplanes and generously let me observe his many masterpieces under construction. My heart goes our for him and his family.
- Richard Schulze, Savannah, GA
Mr. & Mrs. Cooper were loved in downtown Savannah. What amazing lives....Thank you for being truly you, and embracing life and projects wholeheartedly. You were the parents who came together and helped to raise the village. Now it's our turn. You have taught well. And we follow in your footsteps, trying to be as authentic as you were, as we raise our kids, carpooling all over yonder. Love to all you people who were raised in part by these darlings, The Coopers. You are missed, but your strokes brush on. Love, Miel
- Miel (Sumner) Mortensen , Boone, NC
May your gentle soul rest with the almighty ... none of you should fall Victim like i did with the credit repair adverts, I’ve been ripped off a couple times before i luckily got a reliable contact named Dennis Maron that works with utmost discretion in all sorts of hacks. I initially had a SCORE of 495 with late payments and lingering debts that wouldn’t let me qualify for anything. After 2 weeks Dennis completed his working on my score and it amazingly became 802 with no more negative items and I’m free to apply for anything. So happy right now because it’s surprisingly amazing to ascertain such a result after several bad experience. Contact Him on ghostmaron47 at gmail dot com or 917-722-6913 and you're free to say Alisa Humber referred you.
- Alisa Humber, oklahoma city, OK
Youdoneedgreatcredit-at-gmailcom worked diligently on my behalf to help boost my credit. Their service is phenomenal, determined by results reflected on currently updated profile.I would highly recommend their service to anyone I know, and I am sharing this for others out there that needs help so you do not give up on credit repair. My only regret is not utilizing their service earlier…but its better late than never.
- Delan Milner, seattle, washington
We are direct providers of Fresh Cut BG, SBLC and MTN which are specifically for lease, our bank instrument can be engage in PPP Trading, Discounting, signature project (s) such as Aviation, Agriculture, Petroleum, Telecommunication, construction of Dams, Bridges, Real Estate and all kind of projects. We do not have any broker chain in our offer or get involved in chauffer driven offers. We deliver with time and precision as sethforth in the agreement. Our terms and Conditions are reasonable, below is our instrument description. The procedure is very simple; the instrument will be reserved on euro clear to be verified by your bank, after verification an arrangement will be made for necessary bank documents and stock testing expenses, the cost of the Bank Guarantee will be paid after the delivery of the MT760, DESCRIPTION OF INSTRUMENTS: 1. Instrument: Bank Guarantee (BG/SBLC) (Appendix A) 2. Total Face Value: Eur 5M MIN and Eur 10B MAX (Ten Billion USD). 3. Issuing Bank: HSBC Bank London, Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank. 4. Age: One Year, One Month 5. Leasing Price: 6% of Face Value plus 2% commission fees to brokers. 6. Delivery: Bank to Bank swift. 7. Payment: MT-103 or MT760 8. Hard Copy: Bonded Courier within 7 banking days.
- Salomon & Salomon, burnet, none
I knew Robert for many years. A super nice fun person. We worked together on Yacht for around 6 months at the old Thunderbolt Marine. We are losing so many of the woodworkers...Harry Lane and many of the crew at Randy Wood's shop. RIP Robert
- Roger Brucker, savannah, ga
Mr. Cooper inspired me to pursue aviation which yielded a book dedicated to him. Amazing man. I'll miss him. Breck
- Breck Baldwin, New York, NY
Emmeline has been a best friend from 1st grade at Pape School. I will ALWAYS remember how she glowed as she told Anna Gounaris and me about this "beautiful young man" she met at a week-end house party. She kept Anna and I listening and listening and . . . to all the marvelous things about "Robert" - the only thing she didn't know about him was his last name! Which just proves that a marriage made in Heaven can not be stopped! I have such happy memories of growing up, being young wives and mother's and of Robert and Emu being at our 50th Wedding Anniversary in Virginia. They may be gone from us but they are just a smile away in our Happy Memories. God bless you as He always has! My love and sympathy are with you all, Sue Ward
- Sue McDuffee Ward ("Suey"), MIdlothian, VA
There was no one on the planet like my uncle Robert. I'm not sure I really realized this until just a few years ago during my last visit to Savannah. I spent some time with him in his shop and really understood how incredibly creative he was. I'm so proud he was my uncle... Such an amazing and accomplished man. I will miss him very much. Sending loads of love to his equally talented sons and grand children.
- Laura Thomasson, niece , Dirham, NC
Robert would sing about the fox and the little ones and the bonesoo when I was young in Oxford. Loved our visit with Robert and Emmeline in Savanah. Can still hear her calling him Robert my love. June
- June hall gray, Gastonia , Nc
What a unique man, indeed, a unique family. One first memory is eating Emmeline's wonderful soup and the last is of Bill showing off his latest guitar, I have a photograph where your father seemed as happy as Bill. What an honor to know you all. Please accept my deepest condolences, Anne
- Anne Bidez Schumann, Savannah, Georgia
We have so enjoyed our long and friendly neighborhood friendship and having had Robert, Robert and Emmeline across the street, and Graham and Lisa and their boys around the block. Fondest and deepest sympathies to this wonderful family for which we have many fond memories.
- Cooper & Deborah Glenn, Savannah, GA
My sincere condolences to the Cooper family during this difficult time. It was always a pleasant surprise when Mr. Cooper shared his talents at the coffee.deli jam.
- Faye Allen, Savannah , GA
Rob and Graham... and all the family, immediate and extended... I send my sincere condolences. I loved your father just as I did your mother. You know that, I am certain.
- Scott Kinsey, Sheldon, SC
I will miss them both,they were special spirits.
- , Savannah, Ga.
What a full life, lived well and pure in all Robert did. We won't see the likes of him or Emmeline again in this world, and are are richer for having known them. My late parents Joan and Ben Jones thought the world of them, all the way back to days at Christ Church. Robert and Daddy were both Citadel men, with their years at the college overlapping, too. It was a pleasure to see Robert around Gordonston and to chat with him...we'd come away knowing we'd been in smart company! Our neighborhood has been blessed with some of Savannah's finest people, Robert among them. His brilliance will be missed, never forgotten.
- Julia J. Williams, Savannah, Georgia
What a beautifully written tribute for a much loved gentleman.My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
- Kay Edenfield , Brunswick , Ga
What a beautiful life. We send our deepest sympathies to you Robert, and all that knew and loved your father.
- Dr. Mark White & Kim Griffin White, Panama City, FL
Such a loss for the family and for Savannah! Mr. And Mrs. Cooper were the epitome of southern charm and gentility. You always felt welcome in their presence and genuinely felt that they were pleased to see you. Mr. Cooper's various talents were well known and he was always gracious to those who would want to learn from him. Fortunately, "the apple did not fall far from the tree". Their children have shown us a preview of their true inheritance with their own charm and unique talents. Our sincere condolences go out to the Cooper family.
- John and Jane Mullino, Savannah, GA
Robert and Emmeline were wonderful friends and neighbors, perhaps the kindest and most gracious people I've ever known. Both great examples of how to live a fulfilling life and how to treat others. Much love to the family. Kathryn and Peter
- Kathryn Tanner, Savannah, GA
Such a dear person A light has gone out How he will be missed !
- , ,
What an exciting life mr Cooper led! And so enjoyed when he played gtr at our Wed nite group! I look forward to hearing his son Robbie tell many stories about him!
- Tom Cooler, Savannah, ga
We had the good fortune to meet mr cooper a couple of years Ago and he graciously took my wife and I on a tour of his workshop. What an amazing man and life. We extend our deepest condolences for your loss Marty&Sherry Piepoli
- Piepoli, Marietta, Ga
Much time has passed and many things happened since I met the amazing Cooper family ,and am forever Thankful for any of the times we shared .So long great friend ...you are now with your beloved Emmeline.
- Ramsey &Pam Khalidi , Savannah , Ga
Graham and family, I am sorry for your loss. Wow, what an interesting and successful life your Dad lived. I enjoyed my days teaching with Emmaline at SCDS but never knew your Dad was so talented. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Coach Kirkley
- Lamar Kirkley, Savannah, Ga
Graham, Lisa, Ben and Sam- I am so very sorry for your loss. What a remarkable man! My prayers are with all of you. Susan
- Susan Broker, Savannah, GA
I am so sorry to hear the sad news of Robert's passing. Robert was an incredibly kind, learned, and generous man. I consider myself lucky to have known him. I had tremendous respect for his knowledge and skills. He patiently indulged my enthusiasm for model airplanes and generously let me observe his many masterpieces under construction. My heart goes our for him and his family.
- Richard Schulze, Savannah, GA
Mr. & Mrs. Cooper were loved in downtown Savannah. What amazing lives....Thank you for being truly you, and embracing life and projects wholeheartedly. You were the parents who came together and helped to raise the village. Now it's our turn. You have taught well. And we follow in your footsteps, trying to be as authentic as you were, as we raise our kids, carpooling all over yonder. Love to all you people who were raised in part by these darlings, The Coopers. You are missed, but your strokes brush on. Love, Miel
- Miel (Sumner) Mortensen , Boone, NC
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
