DOVER — Family Court Judge Alan Cooper died Oct. 18, the state announced Monday. He was 63.
Judge Cooper was appointed to Family Court on Dec. 7, 2005, by Gov. Ruth Ann Minner. He previously had worked as a founding partner at the Wilmington law firm Berkowitz, Schagrin and Cooper P.A.
He was a member of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the Delaware State Bar Associations and Family Law Section and the Melson Arsht Inn of Court. Colleagues praised him as a dedicated public servant who cared deeply about people.
“The death of Family Court Judge Alan Cooper is a tremendous loss for the state, and I extend my deepest condolences to the Cooper family,” Gov. Jack Markell said. “Judge Cooper served for the past 10 years as a dedicated judicial officer and public servant. He was willing to serve in the difficult and often thankless role of domestic violence liaison judge because he realized the necessity and importance of the work.
“Judge Cooper’s dedication to the mission of the Family Court and passion for public service was reflected in all of his advocacy on behalf of Delaware’s families, both during his time on the bench and in his previous tenure in private practice, as well as in his dedication to his own family. He will be greatly missed.”
He is survived by wife Nancy; children, Andrew and Justin; and brother Dennis.