An Aggressive
Outdoorsman

R

ichard M. Kopel, 96, for-
mer Detroiter of New
Mexico, died Sept. 23,

2018.
Infatuated by the desire to ski
only in sunshine, to be on the
slopes in 30 minutes and enjoy
a daily variety of musical and
cultural activity, Richard
came to Santa Fe (“sec-
ond best thing I ever
did”) in 1974 from his
birth city of Detroit.
Not yet ready to retire,
he passed the New
Mexico State Bar and
worked for the Taxation
and Revenue Department
in several capacities,
including chief legal counsel and
hearing officer until 1986.
He met his fourth wife, Karen
Kelty, at the local watering hole,
the old Bull Ring. After spend-
ing a year becoming friends and
partners, he proposed and never
left her side. They married Oct.
1, 1988, which was the “first best
thing I ever did. Finally got it
right,” he would say.
Richard attended the
University of Michigan, becom-
ing a Big Ten wrestling champi-
on in March 1943. He was called
up to active service the day after.
He had enlisted in the Army Air
Force in 1942 but was told to
stay in college; he was discharged
in February 1946 as a sergeant
with an honorable discharge and
sharp shooter ribbon in carbine,
though he was sure some other
person had shot into his bulls-
eye.
After graduating college in
1946, he became part owner in a
coffee vending business, serving
more than 20 million cups of
coffee (in one year alone) mostly
to Ford Motor Company employ-
ees at 10 cents a cup.
He returned to law school part
time from 1960-1964, becoming
an attorney. Legal practice was
not satisfying, so he took a job
serving the Legal Services of the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan in
the poverty program. Richard
had many stories arising from
his work during the Detroit riots.

In Santa Fe, Richard skied
every day the sun shone and
raced anyone who would try. He
was an expert skier who always
stopped to teach someone a bet-
ter method “in order to enhance
their enjoyment.” He delighted
in sailing with “Ski Wings” or
skiing backwards while
instructing. The Adaptive
Ski Program gave him
an opportunity during
15 years to “give back,”
teaching the physically
and mentally challenged
until he could no longer
handle the pain of snow
plowing. He aggres-
sively played tennis or
ping pong and hiked the warm
months, proudly keeping his
college weight. He skied Wolf
Creek, March of this year. The
Santa Fe Model Railroad Club,
running trains at First National
Bank at Christmastime, and
serving on the board of the Lamy
Museum became his hobbies. He
was tenacious, loyal and had a
strong, unwavering moral com-
pass.
Mr. Kopel was predeceased
by his father Joseph O. Kopel;
mother, Gertude Kopel; broth-
er, Howard Kopel; and his son,
Jeffrey Kopel.
He leaves behind his wife,
Karen Kopel, whom he adored;
beloved sister, Marilyn (Kopel)
Katz of Florida; son, Douglas
Kopel; loved and loving step-
children, Monica (Michael)
McMaster of Oregon, Chic/
Charles (Jessica) Kelty of
Florida; grandchildren, Tanya,
Cameron, Amelia and Wyatt;
two great-grandchildren; two
great-great-grandchildren; niec-
es, nephews and a wealth of
friends.
A memorial is planned at a
later date. Contributions may
be made to the Adaptive Ski
Program of Sant Fe, N.M., con-
tact
cromero@adaptivesportspro-
gram.org. Local arrangements by
Ira Kaufman Chapel. ■

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October 25 • 2018

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