In Memoriam

Rob J. Roy EE'54

Rob J. Roy MD., D. Eng. Sc. of Naples, Fla. and Albany, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 5, 2022. He attended The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art and earned his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering in 1954.

William W. Bitterly ME'61

William Walter Bitterli ME'61, 82, of Simsbury, beloved husband of Janice Ann (O'Reilly) Bitterli, died Friday, December 9, 2022 at John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington.  To read his obituary, please click

Joan Adams A'54

Joan A. Adams A'54, 90, of Hampton Township, N.J. passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at Newton Medical Center. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., Joan was the daughter of Severo & Francesca Daizovi. Joan lived in Edgewater, N.J. and North Bergen, N.J.

George Constantine Commandaros AR'51

George Constantine Commandaros AR'51, 98 of El Dorado Hills, CA (formerly of Pittsburgh, PA) died peacefully surrounded by his family on October 29, 2022.

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.