Claude Peter Coppel

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Claude Coppel on December 18, 2021. Claude was born in Zweibruecken, Germany on August 14, 1932. Immigrating to the United States in 1936, he grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and Denver, Colorado.  Claude graduated from the University of Denver in 1954 with a degree in chemistry and completed his education at the University of California, Berkeley in 1957, where he received his PhD in Physical Chemistry.  This led to Claude working in the oil industry for 35 years, the last 29 years with Chevron Oil in La Habra, California.  Claude married the love of his life, Lynn, in June of 1960 and they enjoyed almost 57 years of marriage before she passed away in 2017.  Over the years Claude had been an active member in many local community groups such as the Patrons of the Library for CSUF, Fullerton Friends of Music, OLLI at CSUF and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fullerton.  Both he and Lynn were also generous donors to various scholarship and endowment programs at both Cal State Fullerton and Cal Poly Pomona.  Claude is survived by his son Alan, daughter Susannah Burica, and grandsons Christopher and Matthew Burica.  Claude’s smile, constant optimism, generosity and continuous striving to make this a better world will be deeply missed by all of his friends and family!  A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, January 15th at 11 am at Mc Aulay & Wallace Mortuary located at 902 N. Harbor Blvd Fullerton, CA 92832 with a reception/luncheon immediately following.