"Marty & Liz, On behalf of all of your Kappa Alpha Theta dear friends in Indianapolis and throughout the country, our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you and your family members!"
In loving memory of
David E M.D.
December 31, 1969 - December 31, 1969
David E Copher, M.D., 75, of Indianapolis, passed away on March 27, 2008 at the St. Vincent Hospice Facility. Dr. Copher was born April 5, 1932 in Elwood, Indiana to the late Everett and Dolly (Fesler) Copher. He attended Indiana University in Bloomington, IN from 1950 until 1951. He then served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was honorably discharged in 1955.
In 1955 he received his Associate?s degree from Washington University in St. Louis, MO; he continued his studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, and in 1958 he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. In 1958 he attended the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, IN where he became an M.D. in 1962. From 1962 until 1967 he was an intern for the Department of Medicine at the Indiana University Medical Center and Resident for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Indiana University School of Medicine.
In 1967, Dr. Copher started his successful career as a Physician, serving as the Assistant Professor for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Indiana University Medical Center until 1970 and Clinical Professor from 1974 until 1982. From 1970 until 1989 he was in private practice at Winona and Methodist Hospitals and then Humana Women?s Hospital.
Dr. Copher also participated in several scientific and research studies throughout his career, including research with Dr. Sid Robinson at the Department of Physiology at Indiana University in Bloomington, with Dr. Joseph Ross and Dr. Walter Daly at Indiana University Medical Center. From 1967 until 1968 he did fetal and neonatal studies with Dr. John Lind at the Department of Pediatrics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Dr. Copher served as chairman for the Department of Surgery at Winona Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis and was Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Winona Medical Alliance. He was the first President of Humana Women?s Hospital in Indianapolis and later served on the Board of Directors.
He retired from private practice in 1989.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Martha (Dehner) Copher; two sons, David S. Copher (Debbie) and Michael A. Copher (Melissa); two daughters, Elizabeth Browning (Jamie) and Sarah Claymon (Brent) and 12 grandchildren: David, Amy, Katie and Kristina Copher; Henry and Thomas Copher; Annie, Ellie and Will Browning; Reagan, Charlie and Kendall Claymon; one brother, Charles Copher (Roberta) of Elwood, IN and one sister-in-law, Pat Copher of Winnetka, IL. His two brothers, Phil and Jack Copher and one sister-in- law, Pat Copher, all preceded him in death.
A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 31, 2008 at St. Luke?s United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis with visitation following the service until 5:00 p.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel, 740 E. 86th Street, Indianapolis. You are invited to visit www.leppertmortuary.com where you may sign the online register or leave a personal message. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hooverwood, 7001 Hoover Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268; St. Vincent Hospice, 8450 N. Payne Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268; St. Luke?s United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260; or the IU Varsity Club, Assembly Hall, 1001 E. 17th Street, Bloomington, IN 47408.
Tributes
"I was a patient from early 1970's until he retired from practice. He gave each patient personal attention. I trusted him completely. Upon my recommendation, my daughter and many women of our church became patients. I appreciated him and continued to remember and pray for him through the years. I am saddened by his passing."
"My thoughts are with your family. I was a patient of Dr. Copher's for 10 years until his retirement. He played such a critical role in the healthy birth of my twins, after my long, 3 mo. stay at Humana Hospital in l984. His encouragement and great sense of humor helped me through a very difficult time and we will be forever grateful. He was a rare and wonderful doctor and person."
"My condolences to Martha and family"
"Forever in my mind is a very kind doctor who delivered my son Sam. Thirty years is long recollection, but a nice one. I suspect Dr. Copher is well remembered by many. My condolences to the family of this good person."
"Liz and Family,Our deepest and most sincere condolences on the passing of your father. One of the greatest legacies he has left are his four smart, caring and vibrant children he and your mother created. The circle of life continues with his memory uplifted. God's peace and comfort to you all."
"Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Though I did not know Dr. Copher in life, as a fellow physician, it is inspiring to read the story of his life and the warm memories of his patients. His legacy will live on. "
"Dear Mrs. Copher and Family: My deepest sympathy to all of you. I have you all in my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.I had the pleasure of working for your Husband (& Father) back in 1985-1989. It was a pleasure working for and with him. He had the most loyal patients I've ever come across, not to mention loyal employees! I remember talking to him most about IU Basketball :)Because of my great experience working at CES, MD's., I later on became a nurse and have always loved the medical field. His legacy lives on with all of you! God Bless."
"We are so sorry for your loss, Marty. Your husband was certainly an accomplished man. Our prayers go out to you and your family in this time of sorrow. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you."
"Dr.Copher had been my first dr. since i was 18 yrs. old and both of my children was delievered by DR.Colpher and they are now 36 and 30. I was scared and nervous and he was always so very kind to me,always talked about his family and skiing.Dr. Echt took over as my D r. I always asked Dr. Echt how he was doing,he was one of the kindest persons i have ever known. My prawers are with his family."
"Dr. Copher delivered me over 24 years ago and we STILL talk about him. I'm sad that I didn't get to meet him as an adult, but I will remember him fondly..."
"Dr. Copher delivered both my children, 10 years apart, and his care, concern, medical experise, sense of humor and generally fabulous bed side manner will always be a part of our family story. Our thoughts are with your family at this time. "
"Dear Marty,Our condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts are with you during this time."
"Dear Marty - and family:What a wonderful life you all have had with a remarkable man, husband, father and grandfather. I'm sad for all of you due to your loss. Love Lynn"
"My deepest sympathy to you and your family at this time.Joe"
"Sarah & Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Your father was a wonderful man and will be truly missed! I love you so much and I am here if you need anything! You are in my thoughts & preayers!Love you!Stephanie"
"To David, son of Dr. David Copher, Everyone at Rustic Integrity, Engineered Products Manufacturing and Goodwill Industries want you to know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time of loss."
"I was saddened to read of Dr. Copher's death. He was my OBGYN when I had my only child, Brad, in 1982. I always looked forward to my visits with him as he was such a cheerful and upbeat person. I can only imagine what a loss this is to you and your family. I thank you for all the hours you must have waited up for him over the years. I went into the hospital at 11:30pm and Brad was born at 3:18am. Dr. Copher was there while all that took place. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. "
"I was heartbroken to hear of the passing of my favorite doctor. Dr. Copher delivered my first child and he literally saved my life from complications that I had. I was in the hospital for 11 days. He will always be remembered with fond memories. I will truly miss knowing that he has passed on to glory and a I know in a better place. i will keep the family in my prayers but know that the Lord wanted him home with him now. God Bless your family and may heaven smile down upon you. With fondest memories of my favorite doctor ever.Clarence & Denise White "
"I wanted to express our sadness. Dr. Copher was the finest doctor we have ever known. He helped me through some very rough times and I have 3 wonderful children because of his kindness and knowledge. I am very sad to hear that he has passed away but I know he is in a better place. "
"My concolences to Marty and family.Your neighbor, Eileen Price"
"My deepest sympathy goes to you, Marty and your family. I became a patient of Dr. Copher's 38 years ago until his retirement. He delivered my last son and was with me during some difficult times. I will always think of him with fondness. He was a great man and physician. He will be missed."
"Thoughts and concerns for his family in this time of loss"
"Mrs. Copher and Family,My thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of lost. I always enjoyed working with Dr. Copher and taking care of your family during labor and delivery of your grandchildern.FondlyMaggie Vernon"
"So very sad to hear of Dr. Copher's passing. I met him through the Stout/OBrien connection in Indianapolis back in 1980. He was a fantastic man, terrific doctor, and funny as can be. I often wondered if he was as entertaining with everyone. I am big on humor and he made me very comfortable throughout the birth of our 3 children. We ended up with 5 total--two more after he retired and our first child, a son, is getting married this summer. Thanks to Doctor Copher I always looked forward to having another baby. He gave us girls much confidence and strength and faith in ourselves when we needed it most. Love, love, love this man and thank you--his family--for sharing him with so many. He definitely made a difference in the world. You can be very proud. I think of him often as I look on my children. Sincerely, BARB OCONNELL"
"Dear Mrs. Copher & Copher Kids, I can't help smiling at that wonderful photo of Dr. Dave and remembering all the outrageous and hilarious wit he oozed from every pore (and those were the jokes I got!). Such a treat to have had him as my "local Dad" while at DPU. My thoughts and prayers are with you all."
"My condolences go out to your family. I am so sorry for your loss. I was a patient of Dr. Copher in the early 1970's and to this day I have never found another Physician like him. Besides being an excellent Physician he was so nice and so attentive to his patients. He always had a smile on his face. I know his family are all very proud of him and have every reason to be. He will be very sadly missed. "
"To Mrs. Copher and the Copher Children: My husband, Tim, and I send our sincere condolences to all of you on the loss of your wonderful husband and father. I was a patient of Dr. Copher from 1970 until his retirement. He delivered all four of our children - two boys and two girls - between 1975 and 1984. He was a gifted physician and a wonderful man who got us through some difficult moments with care and expertise. Had it not been for him, we would not now have four healthy adult children. To this day, we talk about him as though he were a member of our family. He will long be remembered by many couples who owe him so much. We feel blessed and honored to have known him.With love to all of youCarol and Tim Burns"
"Perhaps my daughter was one of his Dr. Copher's last deliveries as she was born March 14, 1985 at Humana. My doctor, Dr. William Stone, went on vacation that evening, after my appointment with him in the morning. The funniest story was when Dr. Copher told my mother I had a "cocker spaniel". We will never forget his humor, patience and willingness to deliver my only child. Sincerely, Suetta (Young) Bartley"
"Dear Marty,My sincerest thoughts to you and your family. I know the last years were difficult. All who new Dave will remember him as a very special person. Regards,Michael"
"Dear Mrs. Copher and family,My sincere sympathy to you all. Dr. Copher delivered both of my boys in 1969 and 1972. I was so grateful for him and his caring and joyful way. I think I gave him the book, Born Again by Chuck Colson.May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ( Romans 15:13)Sincerely,Karen Weiss"
"Dear Sarah,Brent,Regan,Charlie and Kendall,I have been out of the country and just returned yesterday. I am so sorry to hear about your father. I know what the loss of a parent is like and my heart goes out to you and your family. Please give my condolences to your Mother and the rest of your family.Phyllis"
"Dear Marty and Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will always remember Dr. Copher, the first President of Humana Women"
"For some reason today, I was looking up an author on the internet, and ...for some reason ...I decided to look up Dr. David Copher. I have thought of him so many time over the years. Dr. Copher, as stated many times here..delivered my two son's, one in 1970 and the other in 1973. He also cared for and watched over me , through my three miscarriages. I became a patient of his, having worked at the Med Center, and at 20 years old, with my first pregnancy, and husband stationed in the military...found myself with complications with my pregancy.....walked over to Coleman Hospital..and ask if a doctor could see me....a few weeks later I lost my first child....the rest is history. As stated by many....this man choose the right field for his walk in life. The kindness, the caring, the relentless hours.....and of course the humor, was beyond compare!! After moving away in 84, for twelve years only to make full circle back to Indy...I was in desperate need of an OBGYN doctor...I learned that Dr. Copher had retired, and found myself at the Women Hospital under the care of Dr Sara Murphy. I never had the opportunity to Thank Dr Copher for his time, kindness and care...for delivering my two sons, and ....by taking care of two of my sisters, and delivering their children....But to his family ....THANK YOU for your sacrifice, of allowing all of us to have his time.... even into the wee hours....My sincere condolence, and may God Richly Bless and Keep You....Peggy Myers Cutter, Fortville, In. p.cutter@comcast.net"
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"Dear Copher Family,I just happened upon this sad news of Dr Cophe'sr death and Imy husaband and I want to express our sympathy . Dr Copher was my Physician in the late 70ties and early 80ties . He was to deliver my daughter in April of 1978 but had broken his leg in a ski accident. He called me soon after the delivery to ask how I was doing. I will never forget his kindness and interest. My husband was a young resident at IU in Radiology and Dr. Copher always showed interest and advice for our young medical family. I will forever remember our many conversations and have always been telling my friends what a wonderful Doctor he was. I hope you had some retirement time together because I truly know what a great sacrifice it is for a medical family. I will never forget his sense of humor and his dedication to his work.... I can only add thank you to you his family . Never have I had another Doctor who I thought more of the I did him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.Sincerely, Carolyn and Scott Lomax"