Mr. Richard W. "Dick" Cooper

NEW BERN, NC
Richard W. "Dick" Cooper, beloved husband of Catherine Venable Cooper, died Sunday, August 5, 2012 at Vidant Medical Center, Greenville, NC. Mr. Cooper was a native of East Bridgewater, MA and had been a resident of New Bern since 1969. Throughout his professional career, he worked in sales and marketing management with Stanley Power Tools, Bosch Tool and Wall Lenk. He retired as owner of B&F Tool Supply, Kinston, NC. He served as chairman of the Power Tool Institute safety committee, and the Woodworking Machining Manufactures Association statistical committee.
He was a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, MA, and also completed advanced business studies at Columbia University and the University of Virginia. He served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1951-53.
Mr. Cooper was a charter member of the local chapter of Mended Hearts #24 and served three years as its first treasurer. He also served as president of the New Bern Kiwanis Club and was active in the New Bern Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Cooper was a longtime member of Garber United Methodist Church and served in various ways, including Sunday School teacher, Stephen Minister, and served on the administrative board. Following his retirement, he was on staff as congregational care coordinator for 15 years. Most recently, he was instrumental in the planning and development of the Garber Columbarium, which was named last year in honor of him and his wife.

In addition to his wife, Catherine,he is survived by two daughters, Kate Cooper Metts and her husband, Chip, of Augusta, GA; and Jennifer Wheeler Cooper, Raleigh, NC; a grandson, Cooper Lake Metts; three sisters in-law, Joan Venable, of New Bern, NC; Betty Cooper, of Falmouth, MA; and Patricia Venable, Lawrenceville, NJ; his nephews, Paul Cooper, of Keene, NH; John Cooper, of Wethersfield, CT, Peter Cooper, of Yarmouth, ME; Mark Venable, of Littleton, CO; and his niece, Amy Ciuffreda, of Lawrenceville, NJ.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at Garber United Methodist Church Ministry Center in the Atrium. His memorial service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at Garber United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Banks and the Rev. Powell Osteen officiating. Interment will follow in the Garber UMC Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Garber United Methodist Church 4201 Country Club Rd, New Bern, North Carolina 28562, www.garberumc.com or Hospice of Pamlico County 11146 NC Highway 55, Grantsboro, NC 28529.