Cooley Middle School Namesake Dies

Revered science teacher Robert C. Cooley — who had a Roseville school named after him — died Wednesday. He was 77. 

Cooley taught science at Warren T. Eich Middle School for 25 years. His namesake, Robert C. Cooley Middle School, opened in 2000. 

Cooley, who suffered from a heart condition, died from a stroke while hospitalized at Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento. 

Born in Williams, Arizona, Cooley moved throughout California while growing up. His family settled in Roseville, said his wife Penny Cooley.

Attending so many schools, seemingly made having one named after him more meaningful. "It was the crowning point of his life," she said. "He was so thrilled and humbled."  

"He always loved science," said Penny Cooley. "Every trip we went on, he would bring something back to show the kids." 

Roseville City School District Superintendent Rich Pierucci, a former Eich principal, remembers Cooley's classroom resembling a reptile house filled with lizards and snakes. 

"Bob was an outstanding science teacher," said Pierucci. "He made the subject come alive for his students." 

Outside of the classroom, Cooley established student science trips to the coast and mountains.

"He just loved taking the kids to the ocean (Mendocino and Fort Bragg) ... and backpacking in Tahoe," said Penny Cooley.  

A Sacramento State University graduate, Cooley began teaching in Roseville in 1961 at Woodbridge Elementary School. He then taught at Kaseberg Elementary and Crestmont Elementary before settling in at Eich. He taught there from 1968 to 1993. 

Before retiring he taught at George A. Buljan Middle School from 1993 until 1995. He taught a total of 34 years for the district. 

During his retirement, he stayed connected to Cooley Middle School by attending music and sporting events.

Penny Cooley said teaching was very personal to her husband. She recalled how a childhood teacher once threw away one of her husband's assignments in front of him. "He thought when he became a teacher, he would never do that to a kid in his life," she said. "He corrected every paper a student ever gave him."

Cooley, a church elder, attended Community Covenant Church in Rocklin for 16 years. He was a member of the 101st Airborne Division. For 22 years, Cooley was active with the Performing Arts of Roseville. 

A memorial service is pending. 

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