Cooper, Ralph 1939-1961

COOPER, DEBONDT, DICK, NICHOLS, LONG

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/24/2012 at 22:51:15

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; July 3, 1961

MOTORCYCLIST DIES FOLLOWING CRASH WITH CAR

21-Year-Old Grinnell Man Is Victim; County's 1st '61 Fatality

Twenty-one-year-old Ralph Cooper of Grinnell Thursday became Poweshiek county's first traffic fatality of 1961 when he succumbed at a local hospital shortly after the motorcycle he was operating collided with an automobile just west of the city limits on Highway 6.

Cooper's 19-year-old wife, Sandra, a passenger on the motorcycle, as also seriously injured and is hospitalized with a possible skull fracture, other fractures and multiple cuts and bruises.

Mrs. Cooper was first taken to Grinnell hospital but was later transferred to the University hospitals in Iowa City.

Driver of the car, Ronald DeBondt, RFD, Malcom, was not injured.

According to eyewitnesses, the crash occurred about 7 p.m. just in front of the driveway at the A & W Root Beer stand west of Grinnell. The motorcycle was headed west and was just gaining speed after leaving the city limits. DeBondt was traveling east and was attempting to make a left turn into the A & W drive entrance. DeBondt told investigating officers he was traveling at about 15 m.p.h. at the time of impact.

Point of impact was on the north portion of the highway.

Both riders were thrown from the motorcycle, over the motorcycle and to the pavement. An ambulance was summoned at once and the victims rushed to the hospital. Cooper died shortly after arrival, reportedly of severe head injuries.

Strangely enough, the fatal crash took place less than a half-mile west of the point where another motorcyclist lost his life only last Sept. 7th. In that crash, Larry Deal, 17-year-old Grinnell high school student, was killed when his cycle collided with an automobile.

The accidents differed in that the car hitting the Deal cycle was pulling out on the highway at the time of collision.

Thursday's fatality served as a grim reminder of the mounting death toll on Iowa highways this year. With the year only half gone, the 1961 motor vehicle death total is running about 50 over that of a year ago. Only that same day Sheriff Bill Welsh had issued an appeal to motorists to be extra careful while driving.

An investigation of the fatal crash is currently being investigated by officers and a report of the investigation is expected to be forthcoming soon. Called to the scene were Sheriff Welsh, Grinnell Patrolman Kenneth Gearhart, and Highway Patrolmen Gerald Kahler and Paul Gearhart.

The crash victim was the son of Marvin and Bessie Dick Cooper of Rte. 2, Kellogg, and was born Aug. 16th, 1939 in Grinnell. He attended Grinnell high school and on July 3rd, 1959, in Grinnell, was united in marriage with Sandra Irene Nichols.

To this union were born two sons, Randy Wayne, age 1 1/2, and Michael Wayne, age 6 months.

In addition to his wife Sandra, children and parents, Mr. Cooper is survived by one brother and two sisters; Charles William Cooper of Grinnell, Mrs. Roger (Mary Helen) Long of Manhattan Beach, Calif., and Miss Betty June Cooper at the family home.

More recently, Mr. Cooper was employed by C & K Transfer Co. of Grinnell.

Funeral services were held this afternoon (Monday) from the Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. J. Lester Williams, pastor of the Calvary Baptist church, officiating. Vocal music was provided by Mrs. J. Lester Williams, accompanied by Mrs. Leonard Pearce at the organ.

Pallbearers were Carl Buchmeier, Eugene Campbell, James Allgood, Donald Durr, Denvil Oliver Jr., and Dennis Porter. Burial as in Rock Creek cemetery west of Grinnell.