David R. Cooper, retired neurosurgeon, had a second career as a Florida Master Naturalist for more than 15 years, leading nature enthusiasts and park visitors on nature walks at various locations for the CREW Land & Water Trust in southwest Florida.

He was a passionate nature-lover and environmentalist, a lifelong learner and an expert on birds, butterflies and wildflowers. He was the originator and compiler of the Annual Butterfly Count for Western NY, the founder of the Niagara Frontier Entomological Society and its President from 1993-2007.

Born in Boston, MA, in 1931, he graduated Boston Latin School (1949), Boston University and Tufts Medical School (1956). He served in the US Navy from 1962-1964, then entered private neurosurgery practice in Niagara Falls, NY, where he served the Western NY community for more than 30 years, at various times serving as the President of the medical staff at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, clinical instructor at State University of NY at Buffalo, and intern instructor and neurosurgery consultant at Mount St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston, NY.

He also served on the Executive Board of the Niagara Falls Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, and on the Board of Trustees of Temple Beth El.

He was preceded in death by Sandra S. Cooper, to whom he was married for 52 years. He is survived by siblings, Thelma Shuman, Lorraine Tobin and Howard Cooper; children, Jane Cooper and Ron Cooper; and grandchildren, Ellie Cooper, Peter Cooper and Maggie Cooper.

He was interred on June 3rd at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon MA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: CREW (CREWTrust.org) or the nature organization of your choice.