On behalf of the University of Iowa, the Department of Health Management & Policy, and the Master of Health Administration program, our condolences on the loss of Jeff, our alumnus. He was a strong leader in our field at a time when we all need them. We are very proud of his accomplishments.

Ian Montgomery, Clinical Associate Professor, all department faculty and staff, and all MHA alumni

Thoughts and prayers from Dryfor Wv

All of Jeff's wonderful family who knew and loved him:

I had the wonderful pleasure of working with Jeff at Dubuque Internal Medicine as his Executive Assistant. It was actually a title that he promoted me to from Administrative Assistant when he arrived, which helped launch me into a different realm of career opportunity. I appreciated that so much and credit it 100% directly to him. Where do I even begin to tell you about my time working for him......I will begin with a few personal thoughts. When Jeff arrived on scene, I was in awe of his ability to connect with people. I don't think he ever met a stranger, as his first words were always something to the effect of "tell me about yourself" before he ever mentioned anything about himself. He would continue the conversation consistently with things like, "so you grew up where?" "How many kids did you say you have?" Comments intermittently thrown in such as, "oh that's interesting or "oh wow" or whatever derivative of "oh wow" were appropriate. This impressed me so much as it taught me a lot about listening and genuinely being interested in someone else's "story" and saving anything about yourself until much later.

Funny? Oh Gosh, was he funny. I sometimes was worried that people would get irritated with us at how much we laughed about anything and everything. Sometimes when he was particularly annoying I would shout out to him, "Go to your room" to get him out of my hair! Our coworkers would giggle. But then I would be comforted by the fact that I worked for the boss so how bad could it be? He would pull pranks on me. One day he was hiding between my file cabinet and the narrow sliver of wall next to it. How he squeezed his tushy in there was beyond me - but when I went to my desk, it was the scream heard round the world. He particularly enjoyed doing these types of things moving forward after learning how terrible my uncontrollably expletive filled startle reflex is. It was game on for him. He had such a good sense of humor that coworkers who had a heads up on his personality when he arrived, filled his office with things such as a scratch pad with the letter "I" on it to signify his Ipad, put a monitor for his computer that was an old "apple" thick deep cream colored one from years ago on his desk. You get the picture, it was hilarious from day #1.

Smart? Oh, how smart he was. I was literally, and I mean this genuinely, AMAZED at his brilliance and ability to think things through and execute an operation/plan in the most professional sense. I planned a strategic planning event with him, and his detail down to the last little detail such as a parting gift for attendees was incredible. I was the one who was in charge of those sorts of things, but he always had an idea to throw in and we worked together to execute all aspects of the event.

Kind/genuine/my friend. Jeff was definitely my friend. In times of my personal turmoil here and there, he was always first to say, "hey, everything ok, you seem off." How many execs really give a care about those around you and their situations? The good ones, that would be my answer. When my elderly mother crashed her car and I was hysterical, who drove me to the scene. Yup, he did, without hesitation. When I learned it wasn't as serious as I imagined and she was fine, it was only then that I became terrified thinking back to his driving to the accident, Ha! He was getting me there instantaneously and I must admit was a bit reckless in the moment but man did I ever appreciate him driving like a bat out of hell on my behalf!

Loving his family. Yes, you all, I can't begin to tell you how much Jeff loved each of you. We talked extensively about our families and his love was deep, genuine, and true in the largest sense of the word. Lauren and Lexy (we both had a daughter Lexy which was another connection). My Lexi was ill (I guess one would call it chronically) and he was always concerned and supportive. He profoundly loved you girls and was proud of your every little achievement and "moment." He would share what you did the day before that was "so cute" the next morning standing at my desk and spoke of his love for you constantly!! Sometimes I felt like an invisible aunt I think I knew so so much about you and your activities during this time we worked together. He so looked forward to your futures and the paths you may take. Amy, as we have said in our many conversations over the years, Jeff loved you. Jeff's heart was true to you. Jeff was in awe of your brilliance and your career. I even helped him think out a special evening for you one time, I forget if it was birthday/anniversary or something along those lines. He wanted it to be perfect and spared no detail in the planning. He spoke of his baby Alex often. It was a deep hurt as everyone knows who is reading this. He loved the baby and shared how crushed you both were. He also spoke often of his Mom and Dad. He was sad his Mom had passed and had great admiration for his Dad. Many conversations ensued about his family to include his siblings/in laws especially. He was so proud of your many successes, he shared incidents that were funny about you and ones that pissed him off (ha) when he grew up with you and I want to assure you he was ever present in your lives and in awe of each of you. Medically there was always a "well my brother said or well my Dad says, etc" and would share what their advice would be regarding whatever our topic. I can assure you of his love for you all.

Perfection/journey. I am well aware of Jeff's life journey both good and bad albeit from afar and certainly no where near from his families perspective. However, I have lived a practically identical "journey" with my own brother who passed at age 35 leaving me as an only child. I will speak to that from my aspect. We all share that "journey of our lives." Comparable to a roller coaster, we all enjoy the highs and the lows throughout the ride. The lows suck no doubt, but they are inevitable. Sometimes that ride goes through more lows on the track than highs, and sometimes the other way around. We stay on the coaster, as getting off is simply not an option. You are there, period. Others who love you stand from afar and watch your journey and cheer you on the entire time and despair right along with you when the lows come. Collectively, we have all been will continue to be Jeff's cheerleaders. It does not end now for any of us. I personally will always be remembering, thinking, praying, and never forgetting what he meant to me personally. The good part....... his ride is only up from here, that car he is in (he always liked to drive fast!!!) is heading upwards at breakneck speed, and when he reaches the pinnacle, there will be no more down. He stays right there forever now.

I'm down here on the ground waving to this wonderful person, hoping he has met my brother, and I am very excited to be reunited with him when my car heads up that rickety track. I have decided my plan will be to bump his car from behind ever so slightly, enough to scare the living shit out of him like he did me so many times when we were mere mortals. I can't wait, and I really hope he screams in terror, he deserves it and I will be belly laughing - just like my friend Jeff spent so much of his life doing. My love and comfort goes out to you all, Renee Blosch.

The congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City, the congregation in which Jeffrey grew up, expresses its deep sorrow for this profound loss. May God bless and keep you all. Pastor Sam Massey

Jeff was a big brother to me growing up in Iowa City. I always felt lucky when I got to hang out with him. He would always share- that's what i remember most (aside from him teaching me how to flick bottle caps!). Never ever had a bad time with Jeff. One night about 20 or so years ago we hung out at the lake house and i found out he liked a heavy metal band that i liked. We tasted some West Virginian moonshine (a first and only time for me) and talked about the band. We listened to an album and he pointed out a song i hadnt ever paid much attention to but have loved ever since. The last verse, for Jeff-

Bind all of us together

ablaze with hope and free

No storm or heavy weather

will rock the boat you'll see

The time has come to close your eyes

still the wind and rain

For the one who will be king

the watcher in the ring-

It is you.

Peace, Jeff!

Coops, was a master of social skills. He was respectable advocate for the “under dog”. He was always working an angle to help someone else. He was on the good guy team. My deepest sympathy to his family and to everyone who was lucky enough to know his large personality.

Reg, Mary Eileen, and families,

Please accept my sincere sympathy on hearing the news about Jeffrey. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I am sure I would have liked him. I also know that my brother Joel, who lives in Marshalltown, knows Doug and had announced to me that he knew a son of one of my favorite tennis players. Words are simply hard to find at times like these, so please just know you all are in my heart and prayers.

Margy Winkler

I worked with Jeff for several years. He was one of the funniest men I ever met. We had some fun times including fireworks on the golf course. My sympathy to his family. He will be missed.

Sending my deepest sympathies to the Cooper family. May the many happy memories you have experienced in life help in this unbelievably difficult time

My deepest sympathies to the Cooper Family. I had the priveledge to work with Jeff at Genesis through many difficult budget seasons. He was one of those who never let something get him down and had a positive outlook/vision to look beyond problems and see to the other side of them. We had a lot of laughs and was glad to have crossed paths with him. He was way too young to go!

This is fitting on April fools day to hope Jeff is up there somewhere looking down and laughing at us. I met Jeff when he became CEO of DeWitt Community Hospital. He was my boss, leader, Mentor, and one of my best friends. Jeff treated everyone as equals. He never met a stranger, while I was hiding from people he was holding out his hand and saying “ Hi I’m Jeff Cooper, call me Coop” he was smart, articulate, and one of the funniest persons I have ever met. He loved his family very much. He always bragged about his girls. I’ll never forget the great times and memories we had. To one of my best friends and brother I will see you on the other side. My prayers and condolences to Amy and Family.

Jeff was one of my best friends from the 7th to 10th grade when my family and I lived in Iowa City. What a great guy and a great friend. He will be sorely missed by me and countless others.

I was fortunate to know Coop for many years while we both worked at Genesis Health System. We sat on the executive team together, and shared a common bond beyond the usual one of team members. I miss his sly smile as he would make fun of himself or the situation.

Jeff was always looking on the bright side of issues, for ways to improve, to help, to move forward. He brought humor to the table, and was always sensitive to how our decisions would impact our employees and the community. He put others ahead of himself; always looking for ways to add value. He enriched my life. He was a pleasure to work with. Always honest, always truthful, always there to do the right thing.

My heartfelt condolences to Amy and the whole family.

Jeff was a fun loving, easy going, joyful guy! I had the pleasure of knowing him for over 20 years! He was a sharp businessman that brought a struggling hospital back to life! He had a serious side that he didn’t often show. It was his tremendous support of his coworkers, friends and family. You always knew he had your back and would stand by you no matter what! (Even if he did hang up on you) Such a great loss to so many! So many great memories and such a profound loss! God Blessings to all those feeling his loss. Most especially his beloved family!

I remember sitting and talking with him in his office. He'd be spinning his pen. A nice man, with a great sense of humor.

So many memories. I had the pleasure of being Jeff's assistant for 11 years at Genesis. He had a big heart and a bigger sense of humor. Never a boring day with Jeff as our leader. We'll miss him.

I just had the pleasure of knowing Jeff for a short time at Twain Elementary School. He was always very pleasant and wonderful with the staff and students. He will be greatly missed by all!! Please accept my sincere condolences. My prayers for Jeff's family at this difficult and somber time. May God grant you peace and comfort in knowing Jeff is now at peace with his Savior in Heaven.

Jeff was unique and I don’t use the term lightly. Jeff really was one of a kind. I had the great pleasure of knowing him as a fellow graduate student at the University of Iowa’s Hospital and Health Administration, and in the years that ensued. I spent countless hours of academic downtime playing pinball, flicking bottle caps, playing tennis, going out to the Coralville Res or to a state park for extended tree climbing. Jeff was a person who could work easily between different social groups and classes and developed his own understanding of the qualities of an individual. He was generous socially and co-mingled his friends from high school, college and graduate school. Pretenses were not accepted or considered.

After finishing graduate school, we both moved to the Chicago area. I remember that he reveled in his work and life while in Chicago, loving all the elements of access to the big city; downtown Chicago, availability of music venues and performers, just more people. Jeff’s love of life allowed him to revel in just about everything, he was astounded and so happy in almost any living condition while in Chicago – from VA Hines federal housing, to his house across a forest preserve in Westchester, as if he couldn’t believe his good fortune. We talked on a daily basis.

Above all, he was overjoyed at being married, building a home and moving forward in life. As he embarked on a new stage in life, his excitement at moving back to Iowa was palpable. While many might have had misgivings about moving from a big city to a small town, Jeff embraced and loved the prospect. In Dewitt, again he was astounded and pleased at his good fortune in finding a great town and professional position; new people to meet, friends to make, laughter to create. It was in Dewitt that Jeff and Amy made their greatest contribution to the world with the births of Lexy and Lauren - Jeff’s joy infused him entirely.

I remember Jeff’s sense of humor as spectacular, practically unparalleled. Late in the evenings on the phone he made me (and himself) laugh to tears on almost a nightly basis. He confessed to me that he had to actively restrain himself from making jokes or humorous asides while working as a Genesis Health System executive and Dewitt Community Hospital’s CEO. It was as if he was always in on an inside joke that you didn’t have access to – but the smile on his face told you the joke was hilarious.

Nothing’s perfect in this world. Many of our corners are rounded by fatigue and hardship. Jeff was a good man and deeply spiritual. His sense of humor, good will and generosity of spirit made the world a much better place. My thoughts and prayers are with all his friends and family.

“Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, (my friend). And remember what peace there may be in silence.”

One of the kindest man I ever had the pleasure of meeting. Will always remember him with a smile. Prayers for his family

Jeff worked with us for a short while at Mark Twain Elementary as a special education para educator. We considered ourselves very lucky to have had him take the position with us and when he interviewed my team and I couldn't agree fast enough that he was the right candidate! He always had a smile, was incredibly easy to get a long with, and his dedication to students with special needs was a shining example for all. It is people like Jeff in our field that make it all worth while.

Please accept our condolences from the Twain Team

Sincerely,

Jason McGinnis

Principal

Mark Twain Elementary School