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CHICAGO – In more than 25 years with the Chicago Reader, Bob Cooper worked as the production manager for the alternative weekly newspaper, guiding the transition from artfully fitted together waxed strips of text to the computer age.
Dave Jones, who was production director, said he and Cooper worked closely together for years. Both enjoyed being part of a diverse staff and part of the free alternative's efforts to tell long-form literary-style stories outside mainstream media.
"We really had a sense of mission there in the heydays of the alternative press," Jones said. "Putting out some stories that other papers wouldn't touch. It felt kind of missionary in that respect."
Cooper fit in well.
"He was a very countercultural guy," Jones said, "[but] solid as a rock, extremely dependable." Cooper, 68, died Dec. 21, 2019, in Astoria Place in Chicago after a long battle with Parkinson's disease, according to his wife, Sandra Goplin. The two, who lived in the Avondale neighborhood, were together since 1985 and married in 2001.
Cooper grew up in Wildwood, an unincorporated area in Lake County, and attended Warren Township High School in Gurnee. His interest in the arts was kindled in high school, according to his brother, Wayne.
"Once he got to high school, he started drawing and making art and playing music," his brother said.
He also became involved in school plays. His interest and performances in plays and musicals continued as he began studies at Northwestern University. He eventually transferred to Illinois College in Jacksonville, where he got a bachelor of arts degree.
Cooper joined the Reader in early 1977, and with a break in the mid-1980s, continued there until he retired about 2006, his wife said. He was a master at manipulating those long one-column wide strips of copy called galleys.
"It was all very old-school until about 1982 or 1983, when we started shifting into computer stuff," Jones said.
Anne Marie Harm, who started in late 1986 as a production assistant under Cooper, said when she was a new - and slightly scared - production assistant, she learned how little she knew of the skills known in those days as keylining and paste-up.
"What stood out, Cooper was always a safe harbor," she said. "Always peaceful, always calm, always positive and pleasant. I could really trust him, go to him no matter what."
Jones said that peaceful approach gave the man he called "Coops" time and energy for pursuits outside the office that included music – he was a guitarist in several bands – and writing, both science fiction and children's stories.
Few if any of those stories ever found a publisher, but one of his children's stories became a book collaboration with an illustrator.
"He was very happy when he went to a local bookstore and it was there on the shelf," Wayne Cooper said.
Cooper’s wife and his brother are his only direct survivors. Another brother, Randy, died in 2016.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 7, 2026 Media Contact Information: Aunt Millie's Bakeries Melissa Koeneman, director of marketing (260) 417-2581 mkoeneman@auntmillies.com
John F. Popp, President of Aunt Millie’s Bakeries
FORT WAYNE, Indiana — Aunt Millie’s Bakeries is deeply saddened to announce the passing of its President John F. Popp, who died on Friday, July 31, at the age of 94. A third-generation member of the family business, John’s leadership, optimism, faith, and unwavering commitment to people helped shape the company and its culture for more than four decades. John Franke Popp was born March 2, 1932, to Lucile and Les Sr. Popp. He grew up with his older brother, Les Jr., on Forest Park Boulevard in Fort Wayne and graduated from Northside High School in 1950. He went on to attend the University of Michigan, graduating in 1954, and entered the U.S. Army that same year. He served as a second lieutenant before returning home following his military service. John was offered an opportunity to begin a career as an analyst with T. Rowe Price, but his path ultimately led him back to Fort Wayne and the family bakery. At his mother’s urging, he returned home to join the business — a decision that would shape not only his own life, but the future of generations of the Popp family and Aunt Millie’s employees. Long before his career in baking, John developed a love for Lake Wawasee and water skiing, eventually becoming the Indiana state slalom water ski champion. It was at the lake that he met Esther Rolene, the love of his life. They married on June 19, 1960, and spent the next decades building a life together, raising two sons and creating countless memories with family and friends. Even with the demands of running a growing company, John made time for what mattered most, including cheering his sons on from the sidelines at their baseball and football games.
John F. Popp and his wife, Esther Rolene Popp
In 1967, John stepped away from the family bakery to pursue a career in real estate, where he developed the subdivisions of Devil’s Hollow, Manitou, Lakewood, West Hamilton Estates, White Loon, and Winding Brook. In 1980, he returned to Perfection Bakeries, where he helped guide the company through a period of significant growth and expansion. The company that would become known as Aunt Millie’s grew under his leadership into one of the largest family-owned baking companies in the United States. John viewed the people around him as an important part of that success. He loved being part of the team and was known for his optimism, encouragement, and genuine care for employees. His leadership was not simply about growing a business; it was about building an organization where people could grow, contribute, and feel that they were part of something bigger than themselves. A third-generation leader of the family-owned bakery founded in 1901, John was deeply committed to protecting and building upon the legacy established by his grandfather, John B. Franke. His influence also reached beyond Aunt Millie’s. He was a passionate advocate for independent bakeries across the country, working with industry organizations to strengthen and protect family-owned businesses. He believed in the importance of education and workforce development and encouraged lifelong learning within the company while supporting the next generation of leaders in the baking industry. In recognition of his contributions to the baking industry, John was inducted into the Baking Hall of Fame by the American Society of Bakers and Engineers in 2021. He also served the state of Indiana after being appointed by Governor Mike Pence to serve on the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. While John’s professional accomplishments were many, those closest to him knew that his faith and family were at the center of his life. He cherished Bible Study Fellowship and worshiped at The Chapel and Wawasee Lakeside Chapel. He was quietly generous and found joy in serving others through organizations including the Euell Wilson Center, Women’s Care Center, and Ratio Christi. John enjoyed spring breaks in Florida, trips to Maine, his ’61 Corvette, and working on projects at the lake. He appreciated the simple pleasures of life, but most of all, he loved his family. His greatest legacy will not be measured solely by the company he helped build, but by the family he loved, the people he encouraged, the lives he touched, and the values he carried with him throughout his life. “John Popp believed that success was built on people,” said Rick Brown, Chief Customer Officer. “He cared deeply about our employees, our customers, our communities, and the generations of families who have made Aunt Millie’s a trusted name. His leadership was defined by humility, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to doing what was right.” John’s passing leaves a tremendous loss for the Popp family, the Aunt Millie’s family, and the many people and organizations whose lives he touched. While the company mourns his loss, Aunt Millie’s leadership team remains committed to carrying forward the mission, values, and legacy John championed throughout his life. Daily operations will continue uninterrupted as the company moves forward under its established leadership plan. The Popp family extends its heartfelt appreciation for the many expressions of sympathy and support received during this difficult time. Memorial service information will be shared at a later date. About Aunt Millie’s Bakeries Founded in 1901 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Aunt Millie’s Bakeries is one of the largest family-owned bakeries in the Midwest, serving customers across six states with fresh bread, buns, rolls, bagels, and other baked goods. For more than a century, the company has remained committed to quality, innovation, and serving the communities it calls home.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 21, 2026 Media Contact Information: Michael Korman, highway commissioner North Township Road District (847) 728-7055 mike.korman@northfieldtownship.com
Northfield Township Road District’s Phase II project placed in Group 1, the top tier, of MWRD’s 2026 Stormwater Partnership Program; construction could begin as early as 2027
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