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Robert D. Cupper Meadville, PA QCWA # 22165 Chapter 122 |
Dr. Robert D. Cupper, 70, of Meadville, passed away peacefully Thursday, January 3, 2013 at Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Pittsburgh following a recurrence of Acute Leukemia. He was born October 24, 1942 in Warren, a son of Robert A. and Dorothy D. Albright Cupper. He married Sandra Lovejoy June 13, 1964 and she survives.
Bob received his B.S. degree from Juniata College in 1964 and his PhD from the University of Pittsburgh in 1974 completing his dissertation: "The Economics of Computing." A professor of economics and computer science at Allegheny College since 1977, Bob was a tenured full professor of the College. He served as chairman of the computer science department from 1981 to 2005. Always known as an exceptional teacher and brilliant professor, Bob was a kind, caring, and compassionate mentor and educator. He had authored numerous publications including the "Fundamentals of Computing I and II" and was a member of the Liberal Arts Computer Science (LACS) Consortium. The LACS consortium consisted of one representative from each major liberal arts college. He authored "A History of the LACS Curricula" and "Process and Device Scheduling" (The Computer Science and Engineering Handbooks). He was instrumental in designing the computer science curriculum for liberal arts colleges. He was a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) since 1963, served on the board of directors from 1980 to 1991, and was chairman of the ACM student chapters committee from 1980 to 1991. Bob served on numerous college committees including the finance committee for 8 years and twice serving as chairman, the curriculum committee from 1996 to 1999 and as chairman from 1997 to 1999, and was the faculty sponsor, Allegheny College student chapter of the ACM from 1979 to 2005. Bob was the recipient of Allegheny College's Julian Ross Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2007, for which he was very proud, a very prestigious honor chosen by college faculty, staff and alumni and he financially supported the college's computer science digital library which was a tremendous resource for students.
A member of First Presbyterian Church in Meadville, Bob was very devoted to his family. He was a loving, caring, and empathetic husband, father, and grandfather. He always tried to do the right thing, willing to help anyone, and never would intentionally hurt anyone. He loved his dogs and the family farm in north central Pennsylvania. He was an amateur radio operator and holder of the Federal Communications Commission Amateur Extra Class License, the highest class amateur radio license. Survivors, in addition to his loving wife Sandy of 48 years, include a daughter, Marina Parker and her husband Thomas of Edinboro; two grandchildren, Ian and Abby Parker; a brother, James A. Cupper and his wife Chris of Richland, MI; two sisters, Dr. Mary Lou Beers of Williamsport and Sally Lacey and her husband Scott of New Milford, CT; his father-in-law, Ralph F. Lovejoy of Meadville; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville. The funeral service will be Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 890 Liberty St., Meadville with the Rev. Dr. Brian Jensen, Pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Greendale Cemetery. The family suggests memorials may be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, River Walk Corporate Centre, 333 E. Carson St., Suite 441, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, Family House (a house for families of critically ill patients to stay in), 5245 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232, or Allegheny College, 520 N. Main St., Meadville, PA 16335. Share your memories and condolences at waidfuneralhome.net.