In Memoriam: Howard J. Cooper Jr.

Howard J. Cooper Jr., a revered Ann Arbor entrepreneur with strong ties to U-M and Michigan Medicine, died March 7, 2019, at the age of 90.

Cooper, a graduate of the U-M School of Business Administration (now the Stephen M. Ross School of Business), opened Howard Cooper Volkswagen in 1965, then acquired Porsche and Audi franchises in 1972 and Honda in 1979.

When he sold the Howard Cooper Import Center in 2012 to Ohio-based Germain Motor Co., he turned down higher bidders in favor of making employee retention part of the deal. Then he gave his 89 employees $1,000 per year of service. Cooper, who served as senior manager of the Michigan football team in 1949, was an ardent fan of U-M football and basketball.

He also was a generous donor to U-M, including a scholarship fund and professorship at the U-M Medical School.

Cooper is predeceased by his first wife of 44 years, Sue W. Cooper. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Anne A. Cooper, former senior director of principal gifts at Michigan Medicine, as well as numerous children and grandchildren.

 

Information from the Ann Arbor News was used in this article.


More Articles About: In memoriam Philanthropy entrepreneur Ann Arbor
Featured News & Stories Julie
Philanthropy News
A Family’s Cancer Journey and Loss Inspire an Oncology Nursing Excellence Award
Julie was a master gardener who grew up on a fruit farm in southwest Michigan. She also had a family history of cancer, which sadly foreshadowed her own ovarian cancer diagnosis.
Little boy dressed as a super hero on an comic book background
Philanthropy News
Shining a Spotlight on Congenital Heart Defects
The Save A Heart campaign fundraising effort helps make advancements in research, treatments, and care for children with heart defects possible and raises awareness of people born with heart conditions.
blue and yellow graphical hearts in the background with text on top, Giving tuesday 11.28.23, Together we will make a different! and the Michigan Medicine logo in the top left
Philanthropy News
It’s Giving Tuesday!
Giving Tuesday is a global day of charitable giving celebrated on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
Alan Bergmooser
Philanthropy News
Memorial Gifts Helping Transplant Nurses Improve Patient Care
When Alan Bergmooser, 58, passed away unexpectedly at his home on January 17, 2021, his friends and family wanted to celebrate his life and make a difference for others.
Dr. Martin Tuck (third from left) with son-in-law Ben, son Jeremy, and daughter Alison.
Philanthropy News
Donor Gift Makes Michigan Medicine First in Country with Interactive Recharge Room
In spring 2021, Michigan Medicine became the first health care system in the Midwest to bring Recharge Rooms to its employees.
Nurse educating a patient who is holding a heart model
Philanthropy News
CVC Nursing Team Thanks Donor for Improving Care and Safety of Heart Transplant Patients
On July 20, 2022, the nursing team in the University of Michigan Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center (FCVC) hosted a special virtual Zoom session with honored guest Daniel Silverman...