Richard "Dick" F. Cowper

Richard F. “Dick” Cowper, 82 years old, passed away at 1:29 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Ernestine M. Raclin House surrounded by his loving family.  Dick was born on October 1, 1943, in San Gabriel, CA to the late George T. and Catherine L. (Mueller) Cowper.  He has lived in South Bend, IN since October of 1969.  On June 27, 1970, in South Bend, Dick and Patricia A. McCormick were united in marriage.

Along with Pat, his loving wife of 55 years, survivors include their two children, Lisa M. (Nathan) Wilson of Chesterton, IN and Matthew S. (Sherri) Cowper of Plymouth, IN; and six grandchildren, Ashlee Cowper, Zack Miller, Hayden Cowper-Radican, Nick Lubarsky, Samuel Wilson, and Lukas Cowper.  Dick is also survived by his two sisters and two brothers, Marianne (Bob) Brown of Atascadero, CA, Cathy (Bob) Dillard of Jurupa Valley, CA, G. Ted (Bonnie) Cowper of Coeur d’Alene, ID, and Donald J. (the late Gail) Cowper of Sonora, CA.  Along with his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his grandson, Henry Wilson.

Dick graduated from Mt. San Antonio College in California in 1969 with an Associates of Arts degree and from Indiana University South Bend in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Business.

Dick retired in 2017 as a file clerk with Kroger’s where he was employed for 47 years.  He attended St. Matthew Cathedral. Dick was a volunteer police officer for the city of South Bend along with directing traffic for events at the University of Notre Dame. He was the owner and operator of Dick’s Snowplowing Service for over 40 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed working on cars and was known to always have a joke up his sleeve and a unique sense of humor.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at St. Matthew Cathedral, 1701 Miami Street, South Bend.  Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, South Bend.  Friends may visit with the family from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Richard F. Cowper may be donated to Center for Hospice, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN  46545 or to St. Matthew Cathedral, 1701 Miami Street, South Bend, IN  46613.  Online condolences may be offered to the Cowper family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.  

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