Dr. Kenneth E. Kopecky (1936-2016)
KOPECKY, CANON, VOX, OPENDO, HAFERKAMP, LEIN
Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 4/2/2016 at 12:54:43
Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.
Dr. Kenneth E. Kopecky was born in Riverside, Illinois to Ethel and Harold Kopecky on January 12, 1936. After graduating from Brookfield High School, he received his B.S. (1957) and DVM (1961) degrees from the University of Illinois. In 1961 he moved to Ames, Iowa to begin his career as a veterinarian researcher at the National Animal Disease Center. He pursued additional studies during this time, completing an M.S. in microbiology in 1966 and an M.P.A. in 1983, both at Iowa State University. During his years at the NADC he authored more than thirty research papers on infectious diseases and health effects of ozone depletion.
In 1958, Ken married his first wife, Penelope Karen Canon. They had five children together: Dean, Bonnie, Vicki, Andrew, and Linda.
In 1980, he married Dr. Vicki E. Vox, a professor at the University of Wisconsin. They were blessed with a son, Kenneth Edward II. Ken and his youngest son shared interests in swimming, astronomy, and animals of all varieties—geckos, fish, frogs, turtles, cats, and (to his wife’s dismay) a ball python. Ken and his wife enjoyed visiting his growing extended family and visiting famous Civil War battle sites.
After his retirement from the NADC at the age of 52, Ken Sr. pursued a doctorate in Rural Sociology. But his real interests were in World War II and the German language and culture. This passion culminated in a ten-week immersion course in Frankfurt, Germany, the high point of which was a trip to the Bridge of Remagen, a famous battle site of the Second World War. In his seventies, he continued his coursework at Iowa State, studying Roman history and the Latin language. He also gained much satisfaction from his volunteer work at the media center of Meeker Elementary School, where he shared his love of reading and learning with elementary students for fifteen years, and formed many lasting friendships.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Vicki Kopecky; a sister, Merrylin Opendo of Jacksonville, Fla.; his six children, Dean (Megan) Kopecky, Dr. Bonnie (John Wilson) Haferkamp, Vicki Kopecky, Andrew (Jennifer) Kopecky, Linda (Rev. Rick King) Kopecky, and Dr. Ken (Laura) Kopecky II; and eight grandchildren - to whom he was known as the “Book Grandpa”.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son-in-law, David Lein; and his grandson, Erik Haferkamp.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Media Center of Meeker Elementary School, 320 20th Street, Ames, IA 50010 or to the MGMC Foundation, Israel Family Hospice House, 1111 Duff Avenue, Ames, IA.
Funeral Service
APR 2. 11:00 AM
Adams Funeral Home & Cremation Service
502 Douglas Avenue
Ames, IA, US, 50010Graveside Service
APR 2. 11:45 AM
Ames Municipal Cemetery
310 E 9th St.
Ames, IA, US
http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
Story Obituaries maintained by Mark Christian.
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