Mark W. Cooperrider

Mark W. Cooperrider 1950-2024

 Long-time resident of Golden Colorado (Coal Creek Canyon), Mark Cooperrider exhaled his last difficult breath on June 3, 2024 in Albuquerque, NM. What he would want you to know: if you smoke cigarettes, stop.

 Mark grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan during the tumultuous 1960s and graduated from the University of Michigan. Events of the time forged a lifelong desire for social justice. A man of few, but well-chosen words, anyone who had the chance to meet him invariably warmed to his caring outlook and wry sense of humor. 

 He loved the outdoors and the frequent visits to his yard by deer and other wildlife. A geologist, he also had a wide-ranging knowledge of microscopes, optics, electronics, music and current events. One of several passions was roaming the landscape in search of interesting rocks which he would slice and examine under specialized microscopes. Mark could tell you the makeup and history of any rock you might show him.

 He had a long career as a research scientist and laboratory analyst, identifying asbestos and other particles using advanced techniques of microscopy. His last employment before retiring was FRS Geotech in Denver, where he still has friends. 

 Survived by sister Carol Cooperrider (Greg Tucker) of Albuquerque, brother Peter Cooperrider (Nicole) of California, niece Kimberly Arthur and grand nieces Lola and Emelia of Seattle, cousins Rebeccah Leet, Christopher Leet, Peter Dorn, Kevin Dorn, and Marian Crawford.

 Grateful thanks to all the caring people at Corus Hospice and Beehive Homes who made the last months of his life gentler than they would otherwise have been.