Harry Kooperstein

April 11, 1941 - March 30, 2021

From the Los Angeles Times

Harry Kooperstein was born in Columbus, Ohio to Jack and Sayde (Cohen) Kooperstein.

He graduated from Bexley High School and later majored in Music at The Ohio State University where he played trumpet with the famous all-brass Ohio State University Marching Band. Harry worked in multiple television markets before moving to Los Angeles in the late 70’s. Harry won a total of 17 Emmys and served three terms as a Governor for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Harry was also an original member of the Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band.

Harry married Barbara Gardner in 1984 and was a loving husband and step-father. Harry and Barbara retired in Palm Desert, California. The Mayor and City Council of Palm Desert would later declare April 5, 2018 to be “Harry Kooperstein Day” in recognition of his contributions to the arts.

Harry used to say of his venerated career that “It is better than working for a living.”

Harry is survived by his wife Barbara, his sister Lainie Kooperstein Beim, and his step-son, Charles (Chuck) Gardner. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to City of Hope at cityofhope.org/donate. Please click “Donate in Honor or Memory of Loved One (Tribute Gift)” in the left column and enter Harry’s name. OR, you can mail donations to: City of Hope, Attn: Cheryl Sannes, 1500 E Duarte Rd, Duarte, CA 91010. Please write: “In memory of Harry Kooperstein” in the memo line.

From The Desert Sun

Harry Kooperstein (Hillel ben Yaakov) was born on April 11, 1941 (14 Nisan 5701) in Columbus, Ohio to Sayde Cohen Kooperstein and Jack Kooperstein. His family attended Congregation Agudas Achim led by Rabbi Samuel W. Rubenstein. He graduated from Bexley High School in Columbus, Ohio in 1959, where he played first trumpet. After graduation, he attended the Ohio State University where he majored in Music and played with “TBDBITL” (The Best Damn Band in the Land), the famous all-brass Ohio State University Marching Band where he studied under the legendary band director Jack Evans. He was an incredibly talented musician and was loved by all who knew him.

Harry worked in television production in the mid-west and Puerto Rico markets before moving to Los Angeles in the late 70’s. In one of those markets, he directed a young student from Ball State University. He and Harry would talk about someday working in the “big time”. And they both did. Harry went on to win a total of 17 Emmys and the student, David Letterman, also made it to the “big time.” Harry long-served as a Governor for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and he was an original member of the Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band.

Harry met his wife Barbara in 1982 while directing a morning show at KCOP. They married in 1984 and he was a devoted and loving husband to her and to his two step children, Susan Gardner (1962-2009) and Charles (Chuck) Gardner.

Harry enjoyed retirement in Palm Desert. The Mayor and City Council of Palm Desert declared April 5, 2018 to be “Harry Kooperstein Day” in Palm Desert in thanks for him “providing a lifetime of service by bettering our lives through music and the visual arts.”

Harry used to say of his venerated career that “it is better than working for a living.”

Harry is survived by his wife Barbara, his sister Laine Kooperstein Beim, and his step-son, Charles (Chuck) Gardner.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to City of Hope at cityofhope.org/donate. Please click “Donate in Honor or Memory of Loved One (Tribute Gift)” in the left column and enter Harry’s name. OR, you can mail donations to: City of Hope, Attn: Cheryl Sannes, 1500 E Duarte Rd, Duarte, CA 91010. Please write: “In memory of Harry Kooperstein” in the memo line.

Harry was a member of the marching band from 1959 through 1965. He played Trumpet.