Henry "Hank" Cooper Succumbs To Cancer; Bill Bernhard Memorial Service To Be Held At Univ. of Rochester, June 23rd

HENRY "HANK" COOPER never smoked a day in his life.  He once told this writer, "My dad was a big man.  If I would have smoked a cigarette he would have beaten the hell out of me."  But not long ago during a routine physical check-up, doctors noted a spot on Henry's lung.  It was stage-4 lung cancer and was malignant.  After a valiant battle, Henry Cooper lost that battle and passed away June 5, 2012.  Henry and his wife Amy Allen, a librarian who he met and married in 2004, were happily living out their retirement years in the rural town of Grantsville, WV.  They had purchased a farm, made their own honey and produced much of their own food.  Ironically, on the same day Henry died, he was named recipient of the "Shining Star" award by Calhoun County in recognition of his countless hours of volunteer work and efforts to help save a financially stressed park.  Friends characterized Henry as, "unassuming and dedicated."  The local paper quoted one source as saying, "He gave his time and energy to so many community projects, never wanting any recognition."  Henry will forever be remembered by his high school baseball mates for the great game he pitched during the 1960 season against Central Catholic and their star hurler - "Sudden Sam" McDowell.  The young, red-headed, freckle-faced kid was thrust into the starting role for that game even though he was the most inexpereienced of the starters.  And although he lost that legendary contest, 1-0, he left an impression that his teammates would never forget.  Following NHHS and after a brief stint at Pitt, Henry transferred to Slippery Rock University, graduated with a major in Physical Education and went on to a lengthy career as a teacher and coach at Moon Township High School.  Henry is survived by his wife, Amy, and a sister and her family.  Funeral arrangements are being completed by Stump Funeral Home in Grantsville, WV.  Condolences may be sent to:  Amy Cooper, P.O. Box 49A, Grantsville, WV  26147-0049...

DR. WILLIAM BERNHARD, Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, faculty member for more than 40 years at the University of Rochester, and past president of the Radiation Research Society, died peacefully May 9 at his home in Mendon, NY from a rare brain disease, diagnosed as Cretzfeldt Jakob.  Bill was a biophysicist of the highest order, working at the forefront of understanding how radiation damages genetic material.  He was an internationally known expert in his field.  Bill's command of both biological and physical aspects of radiation damage earned him the respect and recognition of colleagues worldwide.  In addition, he was a talented craftsman with great technical skill as seen in his home and hobbies.  Most amazingly, Bill was an incredibly fit tri-athlete and could discuss "aero-bars and error-bars" with equal facility.  In the last year of his life, he finished the Alpe d'Huez triathlon in France, earned the title of "Oldest Finisher" of the SavageMan half-ironman in Maryland, took a three-week Himalayan trek in Bhutan and numerous trips with his loving wife of 46 years and spent quality time with family.  Prior to his illness, Bill was undoubtedly in as good, or better, physical condition than any one person his age.  He was dedicated to his family and was a champion of living life fully, with principle, curiosity, kindness and great joy.  After leaving NHHS in 1960, where he was a standout on the wrestling team and dedicated member of the marching band, he attended Union College and earned a B.S. in physics.  Next, Bill went on to Penn State University where he received his PhD in Biophysics, and after some post-graduate work at Argonne National Laboratory, joined the faculty at the University of Rochester in 1970 and has been there ever since.  Bill is survied by wife Pat, two children Casey and Mandy (and families) and five grandchildren.  A memorial service will be held at the Interfaith Chapel, University of Rochester, on June 23rd at 10:00AM.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the William A. Bernhard Mentorship Fund, and sent to: Kathy Votaw, Executive Director, Radiation Research Society, P.O. Box 7050, Lawrence, KS  66044-8897...