A Life Well Lived

From witnessing the ravages of war, to experiencing the hair-raising thrill of driving 160 mph around a French racetrack, the life of 88-year-old Co-op member Walter Koopman has been nothing short of astonishing. To say his time on earth has been an adventure is an understatement. He rubbed elbows or became friends with some of the most recognizable faces of his time, served on the front lines of the Korean War and became a well-respected racer. 

Koopman’s father stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, fighting alongside American, Canadian and British forces as they liberated the French countryside from the grip of Nazi Germany. The elder Koopman then returned home to run a car dealership near Baltimore, Md. Koopman says he inherited his tenacity and love of cars from his father. From 1951-1952, Koopman followed in his father’s footsteps, answering the call to serve his country. He fought North Korean forces at the front during the Korean War. “I attained the rank of sergeant serving in the infantry. I saw an awful lot and was charged with defending Outpost Harry, a remote outpost on the top of a hill,” he says.   
 

After the war ended, Koopman was shipped back to the States and assigned to Ft. Devens in Mass., and then assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) near Paris. SHAPE served as the military headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). During his more than four years stationed at SHAPE, Koopman attained the rank of sergeant major. He also enrolled in driving school at the Autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry, where he learned to drive Grand Prix cars. While the language barrier posed a challenge, Koopman says the French instructors and students were impressed with his driving skills — Koopman was a quick learner. “They liked my style of driving. I'm not a sprint driver, I’m an endurance driver. I drive Gran Turismo cars, not formula cars that have open wheels. If you sneeze, you’re off the road. That’s how sensitive the steering is,” says Koopman.  
 

His training and hard work paid off in 1957 when he won the 1957 Prix de Paris — he says he was the first American to achieve the feat. Screaming his car around steep banks at breathtaking speeds was an incredible rush he continued to enjoy until his retirement from racing in 2006. During his career, he raced in Europe and at tracks across the U.S., including at Watkins Glen, N.Y.  
 

Koopman lived in New Jersey for a number of years and eventually ended up in Milton, Del. Behind his home stands a garage that more closely resembles a museum. From floor to ceiling, racing and war memorabilia line shelves, and photos and posters adorn the walls. The garage memorializes Koopman’s time serving in the Army and his journey in racing. A few items stand out. Most impressive is the Porsche 550 Spyder — the late actor James Dean had ordered the car only to die before its delivery. Koopman has owned a number of cars during his life, including a Matra-Bonnet 5S and an Aston Martin, but the Porsche is very special to him.  
 

His home museum is also full of racing trophies, his first racing suit and gloves, a 9/11 memorial flag and items given to him for his service during the Korean War. Lt. Jean Kirnak, a MASH nurse during the Korean War, donated her typewriter and field surgical kit she used during the war to his collection. During his astonishing life, Koopman met Paul Newman, Carroll Shelby and Steve McQueen. He raced with A.J. Foyt and Jackie Stewart, and became friends with racing legend Mario Andretti.  
 

When Koopman isn’t showing enamored guests around his home museum, he is volunteering with CHEER, car clubs and working on veterans' causes. Racing is his greatest passion, and like the drivers Koopman has raced against and reveres, the octogenarian never slows down.   
 

“To young people today, I would say follow your passions and network and become friends with people who share the same interests. You can use the internet and social media to expand your horizons. Life is an adventure, don’t let it pass you by,” says Koopman.