Tribute to Professor Richard Cooper

Professor Richard Cooper was Professor Emeritus at Loyola University Chicago. His work centred on the development and implementation of behavioral patterns that reduce risk of stroke and heart attack as well as in research exploring the influence of genes on common illnesses, such as hypertension and obesity. He passed away on April 29, 2024.

The following tribute, and condolences, were offered to Professor Cooper’s family, friends and colleagues on behalf of the Caribbean Institute for Health Research by Professor Marshall Tulloch-Reid, Director, CAIHR.

A consistent collaborator and supporter of the Institute, Professor Cooper was Principal Investigator on several innovative multi-country grants examining the effect of race and geographic location on obesity and hypertension. The data collected from this initiative formed the basis of several PhD Theses, and the resulting publications were critical to the development of many of the Institute’s early career researchers.

On news of Professor Cooper’s passing Professor Rainford Wilks, an Investigator on the Spanish Town Cohort Study, remembered him in this way “From my perspective, Richard Cooper’s collaboration with the TMRU/TMRI was transformative and really catapulted us to a new level of activity and achievement in the epidemiology of non-communicable diseases in Jamaica and the region. It facilitated a rapid growth in impactful output from our research group, increased opportunities for collaboration, and provided opportunities for training and upgraded skills via short visits by TMRU/TMRI staff to Loyola University.”

The early career researchers who worked with him remember his kindness and keen insights about race in epidemiology as well as his ability to engage them in vivid discussions on a wide range of topics – from world politics to sports, music and cuisine

“Richard Cooper was an encourager - he encouraged me to do my Ph.D. and believed in my talents to bring numbers to life through statistics. Rest in peace.” – Tamika Royal-Thomas, PhD, former CAIHR Biostatistician
"Richard Cooper was very supportive when I was working on my doctoral thesis. Although he was not my supervisor nor on my advisory committee he offered to and read my thesis and gave me good advice." Suzanne Soares-Wynter, PhD, Clinical Nutritionist, CAIHR.

Professor Cooper’s passing is a great loss to the academic community.

For his wife, Joan, and family please be assured that your University of the West Indies Family stands ready to support you during this difficult time.