ELLINWOOD — F. William (Bill) Koop, 91, died July 7 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. Born Nov. 5, 1919, near Mitchell, S.D., he was the son of Ferdinand and Mary Winter Koop. In 1937, he graduated from Mitchell High School in Mitchell, S.D. In 1948 and 1950 he graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Washington, Seattle. He was awarded a Carnegie Fellowship in 1949.

A resident of Ellinwood since 1990, he was employed for two years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Lincoln, Neb., and for 33 years with the U.S. Department of Interior in Boise, Idaho; Salt Lake City, Utah; Denver, Colo.; and Washington, D.C. While with the Interior Department, he served for 16 years as Executive Officer of the Office of Water Research and Technology. That office was the leading developer of the reverse osmosis desalting technology that is now used worldwide for water purification. He also served 17 years as a management analyst and senior contracting officer in the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation. In 1973, he was named a Meritorious Service Award recipient.

On June 2, 1990, he married Ada E. Hammer in Ellinwood.

Mr. Koop served as a Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Corps, B-17 bombers, during World War II, with service in England, Africa and Italy as well as air bases at locations in the United States. In August 1942, his 97th bomb group was the first U.S. bomb group to fly against Germany.

He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ellinwood. He served in leadership positions in Lutheran Churches in Seattle, Wash.; Boise, Idaho; and Arlington, Va. He was also a member of the Rotary Club and Heritage Club, both in Ellinwood.

Survivors include his wife, Ada E. Koop, of the home; a sister, Lorraine Lazerus of Moorpark, Calif.; a sister-in-law, Jane Koop of Basking Ridge, N.J.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Lawrence Koop and Arthur Koop; and a sister, Mildred Metzger.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ellinwood with the Rev. Jeff Frakes officiating. Burial will be at the Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery in Ellinwood. Friends may visit from 3-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the church.

Funeral arrangements provided by