College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Alumni & Friends

Richard (Dick) Cooper still can’t believe his luck. A 1968 MSU Department of Forestry graduate, Cooper continues to be amazed that for more than four decades, he was paid good money to walk around the woods and talk to people about trees.

From his early career managing forests in Idaho to establishing his own consulting forestry practice, Cooper credits his experience at MSU for helping him find his way. “I’ve been fortunate to build a successful career and truly feel that I found my calling.”

Now, he’s using that good fortune to help others find theirs. Inspired by a student essay written by forestry undergraduate Rachel Adams for the Summer 2025 issue of the MSU Forester Alumni Magazine, Cooper established the Dr. Bob Marty Endowed Fund for Forestry Education.

Named in honor of a forestry professor who played a foundational role in his success, the fund creates pathways for current students to discover their own passion for the field.

“It’s okay to take a leap”

Rachel Adams knew her life needed a change. She felt stuck. As a machine operator, Adams spent nearly 12 hours a day in a windowless factory. The work was stressful. Due to the long hours, she rarely got outdoors and could feel it taking a toll on her mental health. Yes, it was a paycheck, but was this worth it?

It was time to do something different. Adams began searching the internet for other jobs and came across several opportunities that required a degree in forestry.

“I thought, ‘you can get a degree in forests? How beautiful.’”

But the prospect of paying for college on her own posed a serious challenge. Growing up living paycheck to paycheck left a lasting impression. Hyper-aware of her constant financial insecurity, Adams wondered if attending MSU was really an option for her.

“Deciding to go back to school at 30 was hard,” she said. “I was scared about not being able to afford housing, my food, my car payment, or any of my bills.”

Despite these fears, Adams determined that it was time to take a chance. In doing so, she quickly realized there was a network of support ready to help. Through a mix of financial aid and scholarships from MSU and the Forestry Department, Adams found the funding she needed. Within weeks of perusing those online job postings, Adams applied to MSU. In the Spring of 2027, she’ll graduate with a bachelor's degree in forestry. “It’s amazing how quickly things can change when you set your mind to it and have a couple helping hands.”

Recounting her experience in a Student Voice essay, Adams said the support she’s received has done much more than unlock academic opportunities. It’s revitalized her sense of hope and belonging.

“It’s okay to take a leap, because there’s a whole crowd of people to catch you. Your life can change for the better, like mine did.”

“I just wanted to give something back”

After reading Adams’ story, Cooper recognized striking parallels to his own path. Though separated by decades, the description of her journey closely echoed his own experience. “Rachel’s story of how she discovered forestry was almost the same as mine,” he said.

But Adams’ article reached beyond nostalgia. It inspired action. A few weeks after Forester was published, the department received a handwritten letter from Cooper expressing his desire to create a scholarship for forestry students in need of financial support.

“I was struck by Dick Cooper’s thoughtful and heartfelt letter. I quickly wrote back and Dick and I arranged a visit and spent a delightful day together in the forest,” said Dr. Richard Kobe, professor and chairperson of the MSU Department of Forestry.

“Dick’s generous gift beautifully reflects the strong connections that define MSU Foresters, both today and across generations. From Dr. Bob Marty’s lasting impact as a teacher, to Dick’s successful career, to scholarships that will benefit students for years to come, this legacy speaks to a shared commitment to the future. It is a continuity worth celebrating and taking pride in.”

Established to strengthen opportunities for the next generation of students, Cooper dedicated the fund to an influential figure from his past: Dr. Robert (Bob) Marty. A distinguished professor of forest economics, Dr. Marty taught at MSU from 1967 to 1991.

Mentoring scores of graduate and undergraduate students, Cooper credits the practical skills he learned from Dr. Marty for setting him up for success in the forestry industry. “The most impactful course I ever took was taught by Dr. Marty.”

Creating the scholarship was Cooper’s way of expressing his gratitude—both to a mentor who shaped his path and for the good fortune that’s defined his life in forestry. “I just wanted to give something back for my good luck.”

“It brings me to tears”

Learning that a scholarship was being established in honor of her father left Martha Kost at a loss for words. It’s been over 35 years since her dad passed away, but Kost said that Cooper’s tribute is reminder of the legacy he built and the lives he touched.

Remembered for his expertise and engaging personality, Dr. Marty established himself as a leading figure in the department. Graduating in 1954 with a degree in forestry from Michigan State College, Dr. Marty went on to earn graduate degrees from Duke University, Harvard and Yale. He served in the U.S. Army in Japan and Korea before returning to East Lansing in 1967 to start his teaching career.

He was deeply committed to international scholarship and regularly hosted graduate students from around the world. In 1973, he was a contributor to the Nixon Administration’s Presidential Advisory Panel on Timber and the Environment.

“It brings me to tears thinking about it,” she said. “He’s been gone for so long, so seeing his impact still felt in this way is incredible.”

Hope and community

When Adams found out that her story inspired an alumnus to create a new scholarship, she was overwhelmed. “To be frank, without the scholarships I received from the Forestry Department, I wouldn't be here,” she said. “So, when they told me someone was creating an endowment because of what I wrote in the magazine, I just wanted to cry. It’s amazing.”

This fall, Adams will be taking part in a study abroad experience at the University of Eastern Finland. She’s in the process of deciding what she wants to do after graduation, considering graduate school or possibly a career in consulting forestry, like Cooper.

She is filled with hope for the future, encouraged by a feeling of shared purpose within the forestry community. “Everyone is here for the same reason, we care about the environment,” she said. “We’re all working to take care of the planet and be good stewards of the land.”

Thinking back about those long shifts at the factory, her life now feels surreal. She still encounters fear and doubt, but she’s no longer alone. There’s a community behind her now, one that’s invested in her success and ready to lift her up when she needs a helping hand.

“The world is beautiful again, and I have so many options in front of me.”

You can learn more about the Dr. Bob Marty Endowed Fund for Forestry Education here.

Support the Marty Endowed Fund for Forestry Education here.