November 7, 1964 – September 21, 2018
Rob was born the son of Phyllis Marie Bruns (later Koppert) and Robert Edward Koppert in Salinas, California on November 7, 1964 and was raised in the Lutheran faith. He graduated from Milford High School in 1983 where both of his parents were school teachers. Rob went to school at Brown Institute in Minneapolis where he earned a degree in Radio Broadcasting. After working radio in Minneapolis, Rob landed a job at KICD radio in Spencer, Iowa where he worked for many years. While working there and living in Milford, he became a firefighter and EMT serving as a volunteer with Milford Fire and Rescue Department and on the ambulance for Dickinson County Memorial Hospital in Spirit Lake. Next, he found his second calling and moved to Atlantic, Iowa where he worked as the Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator and later as the Cass County 911 Director.
At only 53 years old, his body was overcome by the illness of colon cancer. He was diagnosed on November 26, 2016 and fought hard to keep the illness at bay. Multiple surgeries and chemotherapy slowed the progression, but the cancer was ultimately discovered too late and could not be stopped. As the cancer progressed, Rob was unable to work and made the decision to move from Atlantic to Gretna, Nebraska. This was so he could be close to major railroad systems and trains. Rob was an avid railfan and would spend hours and hours watching, videotaping and photographing trains and rail yards.
Besides being an expert in train spotting, Rob enjoyed Ham Radio and was a long-time operator with the call sign N0NGZ.
He was thoughtful with his final plans. Along with his desire to remain at home during the last stages, he declined to have a funeral service or burial. He directed cremation with the spreading of his ashes in special locations he was fond of near the railroads he visited.
His Facebook timeline shows that there is no doubt he had several passions. Here are some of his words. “One thing I’ve become acutely aware of since being diagnosed with cancer, is that you learn to appreciate each day as if it were the last. I went railfanning today, it was cloudy, cold and drizzling off and on. Not the best day to shoot pictures and videos of trains, but I got to spend the day doing something I love with good friends.” He loved music and radio. “Doing some spring cleaning and going through boxes I haven’t opened for 15 years. Found about 350 CD’s. The gem was a group called Western Flyer. The song (also called) Western Flyer, brings back memories of a happy childhood.”
I’m so very sorry for your loss. It’s comforting to know that we have a Heavenly Father who knows our inner-most struggles to come to terms with our loss. I recently lost a brother, a sister-in-law and most recently a best friend so I can sympathize with your pain. I found a comforting scripture at 2 Corithians 1:3-4 which speaks of Jehovah as the God of all comfort who comforts us in all of our trials. I hope this brings you the same comfort as it has me. For more comforting thoughts visit JW. Org.