UWO mourns passing of Biology Professor Emeritus Sheldon Cooper

Sheldon J. Cooper, a University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh professor particularly known for his research on birds, died November 14 after living with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis known as Lou Gehrig's disease) since February 2019. Details about services may be found here.

Courtney Kurtz and Lisa Dorn, co-chairs of the UW-Oshkosh biology department, shared the following:

"Sheldon joined the Biology faculty in 2001 and served as a professor for the next 22 years. He was co-chair of the department from 2009 - 2023, during which time he guided the department through many challenges and changes. Sheldon taught human and animal physiology as well as field ornithology, and led research projects focused on his life-long passion- birds. Sheldon's research focused on the ecological physiology of birds and he mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students during his time at UWO.

"Sheldon retired in January 2023 in the midst of a years-long battle with ALS. Our hearts and thoughts are with his family at this time. He will truly be missed by those of us who worked closely with him, students whose lives he touched and all of us who enjoyed his friendly smiles and kind words. The world is a little sadder today without Sheldon in it."

Cooper, 57, was born Oct. 5, 1967. He spent his childhood in Bison, South Dakota. He received his undergraduate degree in biology from Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, in 1990; and his master's degree in biology from the University of South Dakota at Vermillion in 1992. He graduated from Utah State University in 1998, with a Ph.D. in biology.

After serving as a visiting lecturer at St. Lawrence University, New York, for one year, he held a tenure track position at UW-Stevens Point from 1998 to 2001, at which time he joined the faculty at UWO an animal physiologist.

Cooper, in his faculty bio, noted his research interests in animal thermoregulation and energetics-most interested in thermoregulation in songbirds. A great deal of his research, he said, dealt with how small, nonmigratory songbirds can survive in winter in cold temperate regions, and he would address questions on their process of seasonal acclimation.

Cooper served as co-chair of the biology department from 2009 to 2023.

In 2023, a mural was created in the Halsey Science Center (northeast staircase) honoring Cooper and his love of birds.

Survivors and services

Cooper is survived by his wife of 32 years, Jaci (Seville); and sons Payton Cooper and Braden Cooper; sisters Melissa Cooper and Beth (Omar) Sutherland; brother Stuart Cooper; and three nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A visitation and celebration of life service will be held Friday, Nov. 22, at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home, 100 Lake Pointe Drive, Oshkosh. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m., with a service, fellowship and meal to follow. The family also invites friends and relatives to join them in the party room of Sheldon's favorite pizza place, West End Pizza, anytime from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. Comfortable attire is encouraged.

In lieu of flowers, consider donations to a biology scholarship at UWO in his name or Wisconsin ALS Association.

Gifts to the Sheldon Cooper Scholarship Fund may be made through the UW Oshkosh College of Letters and Science webpage at the UW Oshkosh Foundation: https://www.uwosh.edu/foundation/give-to-uwo/letters-and-science/. In the online form, be sure to designate the "Sheldon Cooper Scholarship Fund (5646)."

Learn more:

Dr. Sheldon Cooper, obituary, Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home