FRANKLIN
David Roy Copple, 88, died at the Franklin United Methodist Community on Friday, Jan. 9, 2015.
Prior to becoming a resident of the community in 2007, he lived in Claremont, California, for 54 years.
Born in Indianapolis on July 10, 1926, he was the son of Roy V. and Ruth Townsend Copple.
He graduated from Arsenal Technical High School and Purdue University and began work as an industrial engineer at Western Electric Co. in Indianapolis in 1949.
He moved to Food Machinery and Chemical Corporation in Riverside, California, in 1953 as a wage and salary administrator and subsequently held various personnel, market research, sales and product management positions in the corporation, advancing to that of product manager for FMC International in Europe in 1975.
Dave’s professional activities included being a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers; co-inventor of a U.S. patent for an in-line egg-conditioning system; participant in a U.S. Department of Commerce multi-trade mission to Australia and New Zealand in 1968, and leader of a scientific team which conducted technical seminars in Czechoslovakia and Moscow in 1976 on the use of modern equipment and operational technology in broiler and egg complexes. In Moscow, this was sponsored by the U.S.S.R. Council of Ministers for Science and Technology.
For several years in retirement, Dave managed the fine arts sales and representation for the wildlife and western art works produced by his son, Robert R. Copple.
Dave married Ann Lindstaedt, also of Indianapolis, in 1953. She survives him, as do their two children, Robert R. of Seal Beach, California, and Anne Louise, of Franklin; and one grandchild, David Jason Purdy, also of Franklin.
Dave served his church, the Claremont (CA) United Church of Christ, during his 54 years of residence in Claremont, as trustee, deacon, moderator, business manager and member of the Chancel Choir. Having traveled widely for his professional assignments, he enjoyed travel and was an avid philatelist.
A Celebration of Life reception will be conducted from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Friday at the Franklin United Methodist Community, Family Room, 1070 W. Jefferson St. Burial will take place later in the year in Claremont, California.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Franklin United Methodist Community, Employee’s Christmas Fund, 1070 W. Jefferson St., Franklin, IN 46131; or to the donor’s favorite charity.
Online condolences may be received at flinnmaguire.net.
