Introduction
Bernard Z. Cooper was born in Philadelphia on May 4, 1918, the son of Dr. David E. Cooper and Sadie Goldstein Cooper. His mother was the daughter of Camden businessman Solomon Joseph Goldstein. Three of his uncles were all physicians: Dr. Hyman Goldstein, Dr. Leopold Goldstein, and Dr. Henry Goldstein. Known as “Burnie” to friends and family, he grew up in Camden and attended Friends School and Cooper B. Hatch Junior High School. He later resided in Williamstown and Blackwood, New Jersey, where his father had offices.
He attended Glassboro High School and graduated from Woodbury High School in 1935. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated from Glassboro State Teachers College (now Rowan University). He taught in Camden public schools and received his M.A. from Temple University. In 1951, he was offered a position in Guidance with the Baltimore County Public Schools.
Bernard Z. Cooper died on February 3, 1972. He was survived by his wife Esther of 22 years, sons David Eli, Steven, and Dr. Ronald Cooper, and daughter Susann.