Though stricken with a debilitating disease that left him paralyzed from the neck down and unable to speak, sociologist Bruce M. Koppel "lectured" around the world. Scholar appreciated every day
Bruce M. Koppel / 1943-2002
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By Leila Fujimori
lfujimori@starbulletin.comThe East-West Center Asian studies scholar and researcher had suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) since 1996. He died Tuesday at the age of 58.
"Bruce continued to do scholarly work even as his body degenerated right in front of him," said Kathleen Hurtubise, district director for Muscular Dystrophy Association Hawaii.
Hurtubise said while those with the neuromuscular disease lose their mobility, their mind stays intact, and some argue they become brighter.
"He got smarter and more vivacious when he got sick," said Jessie Koppel, his wife of 31 years.
Bruce Koppel continued to write with a specially configured computer, and advised those with ALS, "Don't look back, and appreciate every day."
"He was an incredibly courageous person," Hurtubise said, who gave generously to MDA. "His memory will catapult us to a new level in ALS research."
While he used a computer to lecture, he used his face to communicate, his wife said.
"His eyes were so expressive," Jessie said, and he used his eyebrows to indicate yes and shook his head to say no. She was always amazed with how much he could communicate.
The couple welcomed visitors because it was an ordeal for Koppel to go out.
"He didn't want anyone to feel sorry for him," Jessie Koppel said. "Even though he cannot speak, his eyes were so vibrant, he made everybody comfortable with him."
Bruce Koppel authored or contributed to more than 50 books and wrote dozens of monographs and professional articles, most of which were done prior to his getting ALS. But he continued his work at the East-West Center, which he joined in 1973. He served as vice president for research and education from 1992 to 1996.
"Bruce will be remembered for his dedication both to the East-West Center and to promoting the understanding of issues in the Asia-Pacific region," East-West Center President Charles Morrison said.
From 1996 to 1998 he served as visiting professor at the University of Rennes and the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris and Centre d'Etudes de Recherches Internationales in Paris.
Koppel was born in New Brunswick, N.J., and obtained his doctorate in rural sociology and his master's in comparative politics from Cornell University. He also taught rural sociology, sociology of development and social psychology in the Philippines.
Koppel is also survived by son Eli of New York.
Services will be held next Saturday at the Star of the Sea Church. Visitation is from 8:30 to 11 a.m.; memorial is 11 a.m. to noon; Mass is noon to 1 p.m.; burial is 1:30 p.m.
The public is invited to join the family afterward in a celebration of Koppel's life with local and Filipino food at Diamond Head Mortuary.