Robert Edward Coppens

NAPLES, FL / MADISON - Robert Edward Coppens, age 91, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, at the VA Hospital in Madison, WI. He was born on Jan. 10, 1931, in Green Bay, WI, to his parents Diana (Robert) and Edward Coppens.

Bob graduated from Green Bay West High School in 1949. He attended college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison until he was drafted. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1951 and was honorably discharged in 1955. He was stationed at Quonset Point, RI, and served on the USS Oriskany during the Korean War as well as other aircraft carriers. He formed many great relationships with his VS-32 Squadron buddies. Their reunions every two years all over the country couldn’t get here fast enough.

Bob met the love of his life at a dance in Green Bay while on leave. He married Yvonne Leurquin on Aug. 22, 1953. After their honeymoon, she made her home with him in Rhode Island until he was discharged, and they returned to Green Bay. They later moved to Monona due to a job transfer and then to Toronto, Canada. They returned to Madison before choosing Naples, FL, for their retirement years where they made friends with people from all over the world.  He was well loved in his neighborhood in their gated community. He served on the board of the association for many years in multiple capacities and was affectionately referred to as the “Mayor of Spoonbill.” He bravely guided them through several hurricanes.

Bob enjoyed many years playing tennis almost every day until the age of 90. He swam daily and rode his bike until July of this year. He had an assortment of different jobs throughout his career from working for the CNW Railroad in Green Bay, real estate, sales, insurance, marketing and general contracting. He was a real entrepreneur. He was a sports enthusiast when it came to his Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers. We hope he is singing “Lida Rose” at the piano bar in heaven with Vince Lombardi again. He always enjoyed spending time with his family. Outdoor activities while camping or at the cottage were very important to him. He loved his grandchildren beyond measure and made it a mission to teach them about life. He really looked forward to seeing all of us for our family “zoom time” every Tuesday night. Bob was very proud of his Belgian heritage. In later years, his business cards read Konig Der Vlamingen Belgens. (King of the Flemish Belgians). He and Yvonne were once introduced by their friend, John Powless, to his students at John’s tennis camp as the King and Queen of Belgium.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Yvonne Coppens, in May of 2015; his parents; his great-grandson, Landon Domer; multiple brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews and friends. He is survived by his son, Michael (Peggy) Coppens of Aurora, CO; daughters, Kathy Coppens of McFarland, WI, Kris Coppens (Steve Deans) of Dane, WI, and Patti (Paul) Bartosch of McFarland, WI; and his grandchildren, Peter Bartosch of Sun Prairie, WI, Thomas (Jessica) Coppens of Thornton, CO, Becky (Chad) Mikalson of Colorado Springs, CO, and Stacee (Jeff) Schreffler of Peyton, CO; great-grandchildren, Torron and Tinsley Coppens, Blake Mikalson and Meela Schreffler; as well as several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, WI, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.  Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday.

Bob requested NO FLOWERS!  Memorials may be gifted in his name to Badger Honor Flight, Inc., P.O. Box 258066, Madison, WI  53725 or Collier-Lee Honor Flight, P.O. Box 8001, Naples, FL 34101. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420