Richard Kooper, Modern Languages Master 1975 – 2002     

We are saddened to announce that Richard Kooper passed away on 20th January 2026.

Richard was described by colleagues as a self-effacing, conscientious, compassionate teacher who quietly shouldered any responsibility that was requested. For years he managed the link between Sedbergh and ‘The Bradford Boys Club’, he ran the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and coordinated start and end of term travel for international pupils with great care and efficiency.

Having come to Sedbergh in 1975 from a stint at the City of London School, he taught French, German and his particular specialism, Russian, to countless students.

On mountain and fell both in the UK and abroad, Richard led and organised expeditions. He skied, climbed  and enthused rafts of children with his own deep love of the wild open spaces that he and Barbara had come to Sedbergh to revel in, and in which to bring up their children Peter and Elizabeth. Alongside him, Barbara was a constant smiling presence in so many areas of school life from Games Shop to OS Club, for whom nothing is ever too much trouble. Richard was an admirable cyclist, and at one time arguably the fittest man on the campus, and in his typical blue shorts he was met running on many a high fell.

Adapted from the Valete article written by Mr S M Manger for the 2002 Sedberghian magazine.