I just read of the passing of Dr Soper... I remember many times seeing Dr Super as I called him while I spent my summer vacation at the University of Iowa Hospital as an 11 year old in 1984. I since returned for follow up for the next 7 years until 1991. I last spoke to him on the phone in 1995 as I trusted his knowledge over any other doctor I knew.

i would like to thank Dr Soper for saving my life from 1975-1995,,

I will miss him & when its time we will see him again.. You will be surely missed but not FORGOTTEN.

Love

Connie Stout - Schmitt

46 years ago Dr. Soper saw my then 4 year old son and said that he could help him. My son has gone on to have a wonderful life because of this amazing man. Every day he has been in my 'thankful' prayers for the good that he gave to our whole family. In dark days in the hospital, I can still picture him coming in the room and giving us confidence. He was one of those heroes that people talk about. The world was definitely a better place because of him.

Wonderful memories of Thanksgiving around the Soper table(s)....house over flowing with good food and friends.

Dear Helene and family,

My condolences, Dr. Soper saved my life back in 1968, when i was three years old. I have chatted with him a couple times in the past years on line. He was a great man, a great teacher and a great Dr.

My condolences to the Soper family on your loss. Dr Soper clearly leave a legacy of his family and his professional life.

Dr. Soper did several surgery's on our premie son Tim over a four year period (1977-1980) at U of I Hospital. We were truely blesssed that God gave us such a talented wonderful person to help our son survive and live a normal life.

I remember Dr. Soper & his wife coming to the Highlander to enjoy an evening of dining and dancing. My band Threshold played there quite frequently in the 1980s and early 1990s. His favorite song must have been "How High the Moon" because it would be the first one he would request. Eventually, if I would see him on the dance floor another weekend evening, I'd call up "How High the Moon" as the next song without him requesting it. I knew that he appreciated that very much.

Margaret and I met Bob and Helene as Surgical residents at SUI. We became fast friends during Resident training had frequent contacts with them in the years following. During Nat's year at the University of Victoria we visited frequently, in person and by telephone. Margaret and I watched and admired Bob's professional career and kept track of his families many accomplishments. We send our condolences to Helene and their famiily. What a fine and accomplished man....Margaret and Bob Hosie

I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Dr Robert ("Bob") Soper as a colleague here in the Department of Surgery at the University of Iowa. The warm friendship and strong support that he and Helene offered me during my time here, particularly when I was just getting settled in, will never be forgotten. Often over the years that followed I went to him with particularly thorny issues. He was always generous and kind in his advice. He made a difference in the lives of so many patients, families, medical students, residents, and junior faculty during his time here. I cannot imagine the world of Iowa City without him. We are diminished by his passing.

Dr Soper did surgery on our premie son 37 years ago at UIHC. We still remember his gentleness and kindness. He was a wonderful Dr. and man. Our condolences.

I truly believe my son would not be alive today if not for Dr. Soper. He is our hero! My sincere condolences to his family.

Helene and Children,

Betty and I were very sad to learn of the passing of Bob. During our ten years in Iowa City (1991-2001) we treasured the many kindnesses and times together of our two families. It was a "natural" friendship, I suppose, since we shared so many interests through our positions at the University of Iowa, our passion for the arts (especially music - both of us have children whose lives are devoted to the profession; and we both supported the Preucil School), our shared faith (manifested by our times and service together at Trinity Episcopal Church), and our commitment of service to those less fortunate.

Our most cherished memories of our days in Iowa City are inextricably linked to the times we shared together formal, but more so in informal, social gatherings of friends. You were always such gracious hosts - both to us from the moment we arrived in Iowa City and to our son Stephen and his wife Kimberly. Bob became a very close friend indeed after the tragic shootings on November 1, 1991, shortly after I arrived at the University; he was someone I confided in many times over the succeeding years as I worked to come to terms with the effects of that event on my own life and work as Dean of the Graduate College. He will always be a substantial part of my inner being through his patient listening, sound advice, and his guidance in putting such things into perspective within life's larger trajectory.

There are few people who manage to make such a positive impact on so many people as did Bob Soper during his long life and career. And few of us will ever again have such a truly valued friend.

Dear Helene and family,

Dear Helene and family:

Our condolences on Bob's death. We are thankful for the opportunity to develop such a special relationship not only with Bob ,the consumate surgeon who excelled in the operating room and the lecture hall, but also with his wonderful wife and family. Our thanks also to all of you for our inclusion in so many of the Soper family activities not only during our twenty plus year sojourn in Iowa City but in the times after that. Our first recollections of you all date from an autumn afternoon in 1968 after Ken had accepted a position in the surgery department at the U and we had been invited to a gathering at the Soper house on Melrose Avenue. As we drove up and down the street looking for the correct address, we found a house with a large porch and a group of what appeared to be a vocal group under the direction of a blond gentleman in a blue blazer and red bowtie practicing for a later presentation and we thought-this can't be it, I think they are college kids! As we found out later not an unusual happening at such a gathering.

Thanks for the memories and the friendship-he will be sorely missed by all of us. We will be seeing you on the 27.

Gloria and I are truely sorry with your loss, Bob was and excellent person and a true physician in every sense. Unfourtunerly I have a close family member with untreatable smal cell of the lung and we will be with him this comming Sunday, but our hearts are with your family.

Dear Helene,

My daughter, Sara, forwarded Bob's obituary and I was truly saddened by the news of his passing.

My heart hurts for you at this time because I know how devestating it is to be parted from your lover and soul mate.

Bob was a truly remarkable man and accomplished so much in one lifetime, but I know much of his greatness was a reflection of your love.

It was so good to see you both at the dedication of Scotties alumni house in what we knew as Rood house.

Bless you and your entire family.

Your long-ago playmate and school mate, Joy

Dr. Soper is a hero in our family and we are deeply saddened by his death. His calm, good humor, caring presence, and medical skill profoundly touched our lives over a period of 12 years as he and his surgical teams treated three of our four children - all of whom are delightfully healthy young adults today. All four of our children remember him as kind and gentle, as someone who talked directly with them and was interested in them. We remember Dr. Soper as the comforting physician who lifted our hopes in a frightening time when he said "I believe we have every reason to expect a good outcome", and always treated us and our children with respect and warmth. He made such a difference in people's lives - his work and presence live on.

Oh, that smile! Bob will certainly never be forgotten, both for our PTA offices and also the look on his face when he stepped on an elevator in Univ. Hospital and found I was being transported to surgery. We had just talked about PTA that morning!

I know you and your family have many wonderful memories to share and that he will be missed by many. His passing makes me even more sorry we weren't able to get together in IC two years ago. May your family, friends and memories surround you at this time and in the days to come.

Dear Helene,

We were at the Cedar Rapids Country Club attending the Cornell President Society dinner party last Thursday when word came to us of Bob's passing.

Collectively, we were shocked as we were in hopes that you and Bob might be there and could enjoy the evening together like we did at the Cornell picnic followed by the play.last summer.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Will try to be with you and the family on the 27th.

Sincerely with LOVE, Annemarie and Don

Nat

You remain one of my favorite athletes. I am so sorry for the loss of your father. I hope you can overcome the pain through family support.

LIbby,

So sorry to hear about the loss of your Father. Gaynel's and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I remember him fondly. I was 3-4 years old when he operated on me for a wilms tumor. He was a great Dr. and I have great memories. He also operated I believe when I was rediagnosed when I was 14 with osteosarcoma. What a great Dr he was and will truly be missed by all!

Dear Libby & all the Soper Family - We are so very sad for your loss. Your parents just attended my Mom's (Pamela Stewart) Service in mid August. We were so overwhelmed by the love & support our family received from everyone at Oaknoll, your parents included. My Mom worked with your Dad taking care of many sick children. We hope you find peace & comfort during this difficult time. Our thoughts & prayers are with you.

Dear Margaret & Family,

Dear Helene and family:

It was with great sadness that Mary Ann and I read of Bob's passing on this past Wednesday. As you know, he was a splendid professional and a wonderful human being. We have been most pleased to count him and the entire Soper family as friends over many years. The author of the obituary on Bob that appeared in the Press Citizen did a remarkable job of capturing his professional expertise and multiple accomplishments, as well as his impressive human persona. As you now enter one of life's most difficult passages, please know that the Colloton family will be remembering Bob, you and your family in our prayers.

With our most sincere condolences,

John and Mary Ann Colloton and Family

Extending my condolences to the entire family. Dr. Soper was so wonderfully warm and special. I'm so sorry for your loss.

My mom talked so highly of the Soper family. Even before I met them, I had an idea. Dr. Soper was a true gentleman. He was dedicated to his work and his family. Many times, my brother brought me to Iowa City for a wrestling meet or other event and we parked at Soper's. They might come out or we might stop by before going home, they always made us feel so welcome. My heart goes out to Helene and her children. Cherish the memories and hold each other dear, Robert, I know is near. You're in our prayers, Bill Thomsen and family

I was so sorry to hear about Bob. He was not only a great doctor,but also he was a wonderful and kind person. I was a resident with him in General Surgery and observed first hand his kind and dedicated care.

He taught me much.

I also saw him many times on the tennis court.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family.

Dear Nat - my sincere condolences on the loss of your father. What a great man, husband and father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and extended family. Take care. Ruth

Dear Helene,

Nat, your mother and siblings.

Out heartfelt condolances for your loss of your father and husband.

May God give you comfort in the days to come.

Norma and John Stasi

I was just retelling my story of how I ended up in Iowa City for general surgery residency after spending nine years in New York City. Dr. Soper was so important in that decision. He was the interim Chair when I interviewed there, and he had shown so much interest in helping me developing my career.

Dear Nat and All of Dr. Soper's Family,

I was just thinking of Dr. Soper the other day. I had intended to drop him a line to express to him my gratitude of how much he had impacted my life. I was very young when I made my first journey to Iowa City with my parents to meet him. It is because of him, that I am alive today. For a time I was his oldest pediatric patient. I could always count on him for his quick smile, gentle compassionate bedside manner and being on the cutting edge of medical technology. He told me that I was 10th in the world to undergo the surgical technique that he performed on me. He was a top notch surgeon. He helped fuel my interest in medicine. Always teaching me along the way. I will never forget one time when I was feeling better and about ready for discharge from the hospital, he took me to his sheep lab. What a thrill to watch him perform surgery on one of them. God truly blessed us with his presence here on earth. Thank you Dr. Soper for all of your skills, talent and education that you shared. Sincerely, Donna

I am so thankful & grateful for everything Dr. Soper did for my daughter, Sheila Frein Baldwin. He spent part of his 62nd birthday on the first of several surgeries Sheila had due to cancer. He was a dedicated and kind doctor who treated his patients with the upmost respect.

I have SUCH dear memories of Bob from my years in Iowa City! He was a man full of warmth and kindness, with a subtle sense of humor--I always felt love emanating from him, as though I were some one special when in fact I think it was HE who was the special one. I remember that after every meal the Maia Quartet ate in their home (which were MANY) he would turn to Helene (the fabulous cook) and say, "Lady, you've outdid yourself!" Once, when Beth Oakes and I were staying in their home and some special occasion was coming up, he found a moment when Helene was not around and sought us out to ask for assistance in finding a gift for her. In his self-depracating way, with a twinkle in his eye, he said in quiet tones, "Please. HELP ME."

Very sorry to hear about Dr. Soper's passing. I was a patient of his when I was an infant, and saw him for yearly check-ups into my teens. Two memories stick out:

In my elementary years, Dr. S would always ask how the trip was, where we ate etc. He would then proceed to tell me what I had for lunch earlier that day! I figured he was a doctor, so he probably had some way of figuring it out. Now I'm not so sure!

Once I got to jr. high, I was ready to be done with the yearly rubber glove exam, so once I asked him how much longer I had to come. He said until I started shaving. Of course, as soon as I got home, I took dad's Bic to the peach fuzz on my upper lip, and told my folks we were done going to IA City. It didn't work.

He always put me at ease, and got a laugh or two out of me, even though the check-ups were less than enjoyable. He always asked what I was doing and treated me with respect as I grew older. He was truly a great doctor and person. My sympathy to family and friends.

I shall always remember Bob as the most dedicated and passionate of my mentors during my general surgery residency. His teaching approach was marked by outstanding lectures, constant positive encouragement, and teaching by his own outstanding example of dedicatiion to the well being of his patients. He approached teaching, as he approached all aspects of his life, with passion and tireless attention to detail. These attributes carried through to every aspect of Bob's life. I shall fondly remember his passion for tennis and the time I was fortunate to get to spend with him both as a student and a colleague.

Robert Soper was not only a brilliant man but a true gentleman who had a such a wonderful sense of humor. I know in my heart that Bob and Helene were crucial in our decision to make Iowa City our home fourteen years ago as part of the Maia String Quartet. During those first trips to Iowa City, I remember so fondly sitting with Amy Appold in Bob and Helene's kitchen while we all visited, laughed and ate wonderful food. We talked of books, music, Bob and Helene's life as a couple and as parents and of course, of their beloved children and grandchildren. I treasure all my memories of Bob and Helene from that time and the many memories that have been added since then. Bob will be greatly missed by us and by so many. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

My condolences on the loss of the delightful Dr. Soper.

The definition of affable...in school, on the field, in the service and in medicine.

What a truly great man! It was an honor to have known him and his amazing family.

What a gentleman!! I still remember rounding with him and thinking: " I want to be like Dr. Soper!" Now I'm a pediatric surgeon and have the honor to say that he was an inspiration. My deepest symphaty to his family

Bob was a good man who gave the best years of his life to his patients, his wife and children. Thanks be to God for the gift of this man.

TSH+

we extend our sincere sympathy to the soper family.

kenny and linda (sexton) fobian