"I only met Martin a few times via his son Dan. However he always knew who I was and remembered minor details of prior conversations we had and genuinely expressed interest in my life. He was a very caring man and I will miss seeing him in Minnesota. Paul Condon Andover, MN"
In loving memory of
MARTIN L. KOPENSKI
November 5, 1934 - August 25, 2021
Martin L. Kopenski, 86, of Marquette, passed away Wednesday afternoon, August 25, 2021 at U.P. Health System-Marquette after a short illness and in the presence of members of his loving family.
Martin was born on November 5, 1934 in Iron River, Michigan, a son of the late Duffy and Genevieve (Karwoski) Kopenski and was a 1952 graduate of Iron River High School. He then attended Northern Michigan University and graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science. Martin later received a Master's Degree in Zoology from the University of Michigan and a PhD in Zoology from Michigan State University. His thesis was on Leeches of Upper Michigan and is on file in the Smithsonian Institute.
Dr. Kopenski was employed as an instructor at NMU beginning in 1959 and once he received his PhD, he became a full-fledged professor until his retirement in 1997. He was named a Professor Emeritus shortly after his retirement from Northern.
In his free time Martin enjoyed all outdoor activities and spent as much time as he could, fishing, hunting, swimming, and biking.
He is survived by three children, Martin C. (Jennifer) Kopenski of McKinney, TX, Rita L. (Mark) Mazzuchi of Lake Orion, MI and Daniel P. Kopenski of Rogers, MN; grandchildren, Jacob Kopenski, Gabrielle Kopenski and Ben Kopenski, Amanda Mazzuchi, Zachary Mazzuchi; two brothers, Frank Kopenski and Donald (Joellen) LaChapell; one sister, Barbara Harvey; also five nieces and eight nephews.
Martin did not request any services. A private family memorial will take place at his favorite fishing locations.
Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the Kopenski family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com.
Tributes
"I was a student of Dr.Kopenski in the early 70?s. He was challenging and engaging. He made a real difference for me. I will not forget him. My condolences to you. Barry Johnson M.D."
"I am sorry to learn of the death of a friend and colleague. Martin was a good man, good father and a fun person to be around. He enjoyed a good joke - he would tell a joke, deliver the punch-line and be the first person to laugh at his joke. I will always remember his laugh, as he enjoyed life. He would often teasingly greet me with: "Co to robic." I will miss him. "
"Our condolences to Martin?s extended family, and especially to Marty, Rita, and Dan. I shared an office adjacent to Martin?s for 27 years until he retired. Martin was always good for a humorous comment, such as: ?I guess I?ll have to go along with Lew to get some lunch today. I ate my lunch before I got here this morning. It didn?t even make it to the rock cut.? A challenging and knowledgeable Professor, and a good friend. Truly one of a kind. RIP, MLK. Warren VandeBerg"
"Uncle Mart was a real special person to all of us. From quizzing me on Sports or other random facts on the phone as a kid, to celebrating holidays with the family, it was always a joy to spend time with him. I think it's safe to say that everyone who knew Mart has a funny story to tell. I'm glad I got to talk to you a few more times this past year. Thanks for all of the wonderful memories, we will all miss you. And, I'll make sure to toss a couple 2-Liters of Coke in the snowbank this Christmas. Love you, Uncle Mart Tyler LaChapell"
"Martin Kopenski was a real joy to have as a professor, and as a member of my graduate committee at NMU. There were quite a few times, outside of Marquette, I would run into him, especially during duck season on the Hiawatha National Forest. Tough as an instructor, but kind as a person. It's amazing how, after all of these years, seeing his name brings forth nothing but warm memories of a very wonderful man. I am glad he lived a long life and he definitely made a lasting impression on many of us, who traveled the academic pathway in life. For his family, realize that he made his students much better people, not just in the classroom. We lost a very, very good person. RIP Bill Bowerman"
"I had Dr. Kopenski for three classes early in my time as a student at NMU and I enjoyed all of them. Comparative Anatomy was particularly influential in that it made me realize I needed to take my studies much more seriously than I had been if I wanted to be successful in achieving my career goals. Thus, at least some of the credit for my later academic success goes to that wakeup call from Martin. He was an old school professor and you did not get an ?A? from him without putting in a lot of work. I remember him pacing around the lab as exam time approached saying ?you need to know this stuff backwards and forwards.? He meant it and there was a lot of stuff. Later, I was a teaching assistant for Martin while working on my master?s degree and my duties included getting up at 4 a.m. to help him set up Comparative Anatomy lab exams. In a way this felt like kind of an honor and these were oddly enjoyable experiences despite the painful hour. He could be really funny and the combination of giddiness due to lack of sleep and Martin?s quirky sense of humor gave me a few good laughs during each prep. Later, when I returned to NMU as a faculty member, he would joke about having me help him with those exam preps again. After Martin retired I would occasionally see him when I was running around Presque Isle, or working out at the PIEF, and he was always interested in how things were going in the Biology Department and with me. I was always glad to see him and I am sad that he is gone. John Bruggink Professor of Biology Northern Michigan University"
"I am so sorry for the loss of this quiet, kind and special man. I was lucky enough to enjoy him as a professor early in my career and as a friend, of late. He will be missed by many in the NMU community. God wanted to take you home and I hope you?re busy casting out a line in a much better place. God?s peace be with you Marty, and your family. Mary"
"NJ Kopenski?s: Mark, Carla, Claudia, Maxwell: While many miles separated us from Uncle Martin he will always remain a major figure in the Kopenski Clan! Fantastic humor and wonderful life, his teaching has impacted generations of young people and their work has made the world better. Thank you Doc Mart! "
"I?m not sure why I chose Biology as my major back in the early 1970?s. I do know for certain, however, that Dr Kopenski?s Introductory Zoology class opened a world for me that I never knew existed. I bet everybody remembers him saying (more than once) that ?your eyes are blind to what the mind can?t see.? My love of nature and even my eventual PhD in Zoology can be traced back to his class, my first ever biology class, and my only ?C? . Jon Snow"
" I am saddened to hear of the loss of my friend and colleague Martin Kopenski. We became lab partners and friends while enrolled as graduate students in biology at the Kellogg Biolgical Station on Gull Lake near Battle Creek, Michigan during summer classes, 1961. Martin was a faculty member of the Biology department at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan, and I was a high school biology and chemistry teacher at Everett high school in Lansing, Michigan. I applied for a faculty position in Biology at NMU in 1966, and thus began my 32 years as a colleague of Martin. He retired a year ahead of my retirement in May, 1998. Martin and I had many epic adventures in ?da bush? scaring the heck out of the wildlife there, and drowning a lot of fishbait to catch the ?big one!? We lost a good one. I will miss him! Don Snitgen Professor Emeritus, 1998, Biology Northern Michigan University "