Robert Cooperman

 It is with a broken heart that I write these words: my dear son and Lisa's brother, Robert, exhaled his last breath today.

As you may know, Rob, age 49, had a severe heart attack 16 days ago which left his brain damaged. He had been in a coma in the ICU of Abington Hospital ever since. Because of the attack, which caused his heart to stop twice, his brain was denied blood for a period of time, causing brain damage.

Because of medical requirements, Lisa, and I had to decide his next level of care: (1) to be moved to a nursing home with all sorts of tubes inserted, or (2) “comfort care,” which includes the hospital ending all life-support systems.

What would Rob want? Is there any chance he could recover, and if not, would he want to live the rest of his life in a nursing home? are just some of the questions we faced.

A decision had to be made regarding the future of Rob's care, and it was. He started Comfort Care today and died this afternoon. By the end of tomorrow he will have donated his organs.

We will miss Rob. We loved him very much, but Lisa and I believe this is the best course for him. Maybe it’s even what he would have wanted us to do. We're convinced he would not have wanted the alternative -- lying in a nursing home with the constant possibility of infection, with tubes connected to his throat for oxygen, and worse.

Robert, a generous guy all his life, who always volunteered to help others, was enjoying life before April 24 and his never-before heart attack. Among other things, he liked his job, helping auto mechanics, delivering auto parts to mechanic shops throughout the Philadelphia area, and especially loved being a volunteer fireman for our township.

But it was his relationship with Lisa, Duane, his brother-in-law, and their 8-yr-old daughter Lucy, where his devotion truly shined. He phoned Lucy everyday and also was very close to his sister and brother-in-law. We know what a good brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and son he was, and we will miss him very much. 

Rob's life ended as an adult as it had begun, always giving of himself. In this case, as an organ donor. Others will benefit, as they have in so many ways, from Robert's generosity.

Lisa & Ira
e-mail: iracooperman@gmail.com

Home address:
25 Washington Lane, Apt. 201
Wyncote, PA 19095