It is with great sadness that the Coppenbarger family announces the passing of Dr. Roger Dean Coppenbarger, 90, on March 27, 2022, in Arden, NC. Dr. Coppenbarger was born May 28, 1931, in Pittsburg, Kansas, to E.M and Ina Coppenbarger. He grew up in Pittsburg, KS, attending Pittsburg State University as an undergraduate. He received his Master of Music degree from the University of Wichita and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education from the University of Missouri at Kansas City.
Dr. Coppenbarger was Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he taught clarinet and saxophone for over 30 years. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lavonne of Arden, NC; his sons Brent (Sonja) of Taylors, SC; Curt (Katie) of Hudson, WI; Casey (Nancy) of Arden, NC; and grandchildren Sarah, Nate, Ethan, Cole, Rebecca, and William.