Today at Cooper Aerobics we are celebrating Dr. Cooper’s birthday! He is known throughout the world for being a visionary and as the “father of aerobics.” To celebrate his 83rd birthday, let’s take a look at his accomplishments at age 82 and how he continues to stay young at heart.
Recently, Dr. Cooper participated in an interview with 1080 KRLD-AM radio on “being young at heart” for American Heart Association’s National Heart Month. During the interview, he was asked if he thought of himself more as a teacher or a physician. At first, he said, “both.” Then as he shared his daily and weekly routine, he narrowed it down—he is a teacher. He lives to teach and preach his message to inspire people to live longer, healthier lives.
For example, Dr. Cooper speaks to a group of students from The Cooper Institute pursuing a personal training certification on the topic of “Exercise is Medicine.” On Feb. 26, Dr. Cooper visited Duncan, Okla., to give the same presentation to Duncan Regional Hospital in celebration of Health Week. The local newspaper’s headline was Aerobics guru: get off the couch to live longer and healthier life. The article reads, “Cooper…presented a rapid-fire PowerPoint presentation of statistics and studies that support a theory now embraced by all health professionals.”
When asked about retirement, Dr. Cooper said, “as long as you love what you’re doing, you will never work a day in your life.”
February 2014
Dr. Cooper was selected to be the honorary chairman for the 2014 Dallas Heart Walk.
He celebrated the completion of the multi-million dollar Cooper Fitness Center renovation with a ribbon run-through with his son, Dr. Tyler Cooper, and Dallas Cowboys Legends Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman.
January 2014
Dr. Cooper took some time off and enjoyed a 23-day Antarctic cruise with his wife, Millie Cooper.
December 2013
Dr. Cooper received his ninth honorary degree on Dec. 14 from Ball State University.
November 2013
More than 18,000 experts from around the world came to Dallas for American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions on Nov. 18. Dr. Cooper was the keynote speaker. See news coverage from Huffington Post, Good Morning Texas and KDFW-FOX.
October 2013
As a proud alumnus of University of Oklahoma, Dr. Cooper supported his team at the annual Red River Rivalry game on Oct. 12.
Later that month, Dr. and Mrs. Cooper took time off to visit sunny San Diego.
September 2013
Dr. Cooper is passionate about eliminating childhood obesity.
On Sept. 9, Dr. Cooper and The Cooper Institute’s CEO Blaine Nelson joined with members from the Hungarian government and FitnessGram to formally sign an agreement with the Hungarian School Sports Federation to implement a new International Youth Fitness Test based on FitnessGram.
And on Sept. 10 he celebrated and honored 51 Healthy Zone Schools with Troy Aikman, co-chairman of the Healthy Zone School Recognition Program.
August 2013
Dr. and Mrs. Cooper contributed to churches in Brazil and received a thank you photo from the kids.
July 2013
Dr. Cooper had his first workout on Cooper Fitness Center’s new, state-of-the-art Precor cardio equipment. These machines were part of the multi-million renovation and are all programed with the latest technology console, called Preva® Networked Fitness.
June 2013
Every year, Drs. Cooper take a father-son trip. In June they traveled to Norway on the “Land of the Polar Bears” National Geographic Expedition.
May 2013
Dr. Cooper honored Fred and Barbara Meyer, long-time Cooper supporters who both passed away within the last year, by planting a new tree at Cooper Aerobics Center with Fred and Barbara’s daughter. The tree and plaque are located in front of The Cooper Institute.
April 2013
At the BOAO Economic Forum in China on April 6-8, Dr. Cooper participated in a panel with two Nobel Prize laureates in medicine to talk about the importance of preventive medicine and share the Get Cooperized message.
Dr. and Mrs. Cooper celebrated the opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum on April 25.
March 2013
Along with celebrating his 82nd birthday, Dr. Cooper celebrated the 45th anniversary of Aerobics.
In addition to all of his professional achievements, Dr. Cooper is also a caring grandfather of five to Ridge (11), Tenley (9), Clark (8), Lang (6) and Kai (4).
Here’s to a happy, healthy 83rd year, Dr. Cooper!
Cooper Aerobics Blog 
Dear sir! Thank you the contributions you have & continue to make. Becoming healthy has changed my life & learning at the Cooper Center was a dream come true! I love it there & hope to visit again some day. May God bless you in every step, continue to teach you new things for you to share with the world! Birthday Blessings!
Happy Birthday, Dad!! We are so proud of you and the incredible man you are.
Happy birthday Dr. Cooper. I loved every day I worked for you as Dr. Constants exercise physiology assistant. You are an inspiration to those lives you touch by your passion for wellness, sharing your knowledge, extending and kindness. I think of you fondly.
Sincerely, Daphne (Threinen) Fry
Regardless of how long, you have helped improve the living better part in my life. What you have shared makes a difference every day. That isn’t bad! I love sharing the principles with others. Added quality and probable quantity counts in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Dr. Cooper !
Wellness wishes to you always. You are such a pioneer and example of healthy living. Thank you for shining a light on this path for us. We all benefit greatly in so many ways.
I am an American expat (from SF) with a life interest in health & wellness. I work globally in spa and fitness and always teach my team about what you brought to the world. Peace to you.
With Light from Shirley Meerson
Happy Birthday, Dr. Cooper!
When I was a small girl, probably in the late ’50’s or early ’60’s, my father, being an airline pilot, had picked up your book about aerobic fitness in an airport bookstore. I seem to remember it might have had to do with Air Force fitness training, but not sure. Anyway, I remember he showed it to me because he felt your new approach to exercises would be beneficial for me, as I suffered severely from asthma, and was part of a pioneer program to change how asthmatic children were treated. He believed your exercises would be the future for physical fitness! I wish he were here today to wish you good health as your work helped me and countless others through the years. Thank you and God bless you and your family.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Anderson Bobbitt
Wills Point, Texas
Happy Birthday Dr. Cooper… For 45 years I have been using your fitness and wellness information in my lectures to my Fitness and Wellness classes at Northern Virginia Community College. As a physical educator I look forward to your new information and philosophy. Thank You…
Jay Holmes
Professor of Physical Education
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, Virginia