Professor Emeritus Luke K. Cooperrider, ’48, died December 25, 2013, at the age of 95. He was born in rural Ohio and earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard before serving in the Signal Corps during World War II. Cooperrider met his wife, Ginny, who preceded him in death in 2007, when he was stationed in Hawaii.
After graduating from Michigan Law, he practiced at Squire, Sanders, and Dempsey in Cleveland before returning to the Law School’s faculty in 1952. He taught in the areas of torts, evidence, and restitution and was actively involved in a number of committees at the School and University levels, including the Law School’s Curriculum Committee, the Law Review Advisory Board, and the University Senate.
“Luke was the Law Review faculty adviser when I was student editor, and he was ideal for the role,” says Professor Emeritus and former Dean Ted St. Antoine, ’54. “If there was a problem, he never told you what to do. He would hear you out, suggest options, list the pros and cons, and then leave the final decision up to you.”
After Cooperrider retired in 1983, he and Ginny moved to Sun City West, Arizona, and enjoyed worldwide travel. His steadfast sense of ethics and justice remained throughout his life, his family members say, and his kindness made him a favorite of many of his students. “Luke was not a colorful classroom performer, but he was always well-prepared, thorough, patient, and fair, and students respected him,” adds St. Antoine.
Cooperrider is survived by his sons, Peter and Mark, his daughter, Carol, a granddaughter, and two great-granddaughters. He also is survived by his two sisters
