Louis Charles Kotopka

The Lou you know began under the deep blue "Big Sky" possibilities of Sheridan, Wyoming on January 4th, 1927.

An affinity for the western cowboy culture was embraced.

Lou was the Grandson of first generation Polish emigrants of Demchok and Kotopka linage. The expanding family of Mary Ann and Louis Paul relocated to the coal mining communities of Ohio. Childhood there was recollected by Lou as anything but black and gritty, although there were darker sides.

Lou was tempered by the degenerative physical challenges of his knees at five and failed surgical procedures at 13.

Undaunted he rose to meet these challenges with a determined will and strong character. Graduating High School as The Second Great World War approached victory he worked rebuilding bomber engines.

Enhancing his technical education while gaining experience as a bookkeeper at Lorain Coal and Dock Coal Mine in Lansing, Ohio. This established an enjoyable career trajectory toward management and administration. By 1958 he was Factory Service Office Manager for RCA in Columbus, Ohio. Promotionally transferring to Buffalo, N.Y. in 1966 to complete his career in 1985 beginning a very active retirement.

He was an avid member of the hook and bullet crowd his whole life. This interest took him repeatedly on excursions into the wild woods between West Virginia, Ohio and remote Northern Ontario, Canada. Fishing, fishing and more fishing, , , and their storied accounts really accumulated post retirement living on Chataqua Lake, NY.

His legacy of extensive service in Scouting began in Columbus, Ohio at their church with his only son Dana. He especially enjoyed refreshing our memory of shared adventures with Dana. Earning many awards, citations and the nickname "Chief", these wonderful experiences expanded in Buffalo and Florida. Along the way he worked tirelessly with Bob Spengler, Mike Kozak, Frank Childers, Glover Robinson, Carl Russell and Buddy Timmons earning the "Wood Badge".

Many long vacations and journeys across the United States, even across the pond to Europe were cherished with friends or family. His brother Art shepherded several of his favorite visits with extended family in Spain.

For nearly three decades Lou volunteered with Bridges (formerly ARC). He deeply cared for these folks with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities.

Overarching his full life was a resolute belief in God. He was very active in church communities and devoutly prayed for spiritual understanding. As a Board of Trustee at the First United Methodist Church of Cocoa he wrestled with tenacious issues confronting us, like the homeless and hungry. The Holy Bible was an integral source he avidly studied which included accepting the warm spirited Christian fellowship of Jehovah’s Witness.

Many social events at the Martin Anderson Senior Center in Rockledge, included dances and playing pinochle with the guys. Lou was a long time Eagles Club member. He ensconced his dear neighbors serving on the B.O.D. of the Nimitz/Byrd Homeowners Association.

Lou is survived by his son Dana Louis Kotopka, sisters Marie Vargo, Eva Reynolds, Pauline Carson, Francis (Nancy) Delande, Arthur and Step-son Norm McDonald. There are many Grandchildren and Great-grand-children. Preceded in death were brothers Frank, John, first wife Carolyn Joan Wells Weaver, wife Alice Yvonne McDonald-Kotopka and Step-daughter Catherine Ann McDonald.

Consider donations to:

Lou's Church - Bridges Foundation of Brevard

http://www.mybridges.org/

or

Boy Scouts of America

http://www.scouting.org/