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Alex Wong / Getty Images
Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop speaks during a press conference on Nov. 27, 2001, in Washington, D.C.
Charles Everett Koop, who raised the profile of the surgeon general by riveting America's attention on the then-emerging disease known as AIDS and by railing against smoking, has died in New Hampshire at age 96.
“Dr. Koop passed peacefully at home this afternoon,” Susan Willis, a spokeswoman at Koop’s Dartmouth Institute in Hanover, N.H., told NBC News. She declined to give a cause of death but noted Dr. Koop's age.
Koop changed the previously low-profile position of surgeon general into a bully pulpit for seven years during the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations.
Yet, as an evangelical Christian, he surprised conservatives when he endorsed condoms and sex education — in order to stop the spread of AIDS, which blossomed into a national epidemic on his watch.
He also embarked on a mission to end smoking in the United States — his goal had been to do so by 2000. A former pipe smoker, he said cigarettes were as addictive as heroin and cocaine.
Koop, who served as surgeon general between 1981 and 1987, became an aggressive advocate for AIDS education and prevention and was the first truly public surgeon general of the modern era. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
Even though the surgeon general has no real authority to set government policy, Koop described himself as "the health conscience of the country."
"My only influence was through moral suasion," Koop said just before leaving office in 1989.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Oct. 14, 1916, Koop graduated from Dartmouth College in 1937 with a degree in zoology and received his M.D. degree from Cornell Medical College in 1941, according to a release from Darthmouth.
"Dr. Koop did more than take care of his individual patients — he taught all of us about critical health issues that affect our larger society," said Carol L. Folt, the president of Dartmouth College, where Koop later established an institute named after him.
"Through that knowledge, he empowered each of us to improve our own well-being and quality of life. Dr. Koop's commitment to education allowed him to do something most physicians can only dream of: improving the health of millions of people worldwide."
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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R.I.P. You lived a long life and served the nation well, even during those GOP years you served us as S.G.
He served his own self-interests and promoted promiscuity among children.
As a former smoker, wanted to make sure everyone was as miserable as he.
Huh?! So, because he believed in science and did not allow right wing religion to rule, you think he violated your, er, "morals"...??
Good for you Koop for doing the right thing and ignoring Right Wing stupidity...
Will4203: What makes the right wing stupid to you?
I will not miss you!
What a great man this surgeon general was. Dr. Koop combined science, his faith and practicality. For the health of the American people, he took a position, and he did not waiver. He was a catalyst for change...a pillar of strength. Dr. Koop made a lastly difference in the lives of millions of people.
...may he rest in peace.
This was a good person, a great doctor, and an even greater surgeon. He developed many operating methods for children still used today and every day. He stood firm against tobacco, and abortion. He did more to advance the rights of "handicapped" children than any person I can think of. He had a long life of doing good acts; he lived his oath and saved many children from a life of suffering. There are only a few men of his era of whom we can say such great things.
I read that every year he supported the work of Focus Adolescent Services, to save the children of America. He gave to help them in many ways.
96 ! Wow ! That is a full life !
Rest In Peace, Doctor Koop.
My uncle is a 93 year-old physician who still practices medicine. I hope he lives as long as did Dr. Koop.
Dr. Koop, you were the best Surgeon General we've had in my lifetime. You had the guts to stand up against the status quo and tell the truth about tobacco, AIDS, and the rights of handicapped children. You also refused to buckle when the Reagan administration wanted you to claim that abortion done by a qualified doctor was dangerous to the health of a woman.
Rest in peace.
I recall clearly that when he was nominated, many of my fellow progressives were alarmed by certain aspects of his background and urged his rejection. But he proved our fears misplaced as he turned out to be a conservative who put science first in treating our nation's health problems. He earned our deepest appreciation! And condolences to his loved ones.
Surgeon General Koop was one of the best, and most forward US Surgeon Generals. He really cared about the health good/ bad general habits of mankind. That is a wonder he lived until 96 years old. He certainly had a long, long life. Did it have to do with his "taking his own advice"?
Jocelyn Elders, the worst Surgeon General, under President Clinton.
Interesting they decided not to give a cause of death! Why wouldn't they? Unless, of course, it was from something that he told others not to do but he didn't heed his own advice....................
Cause of death? He was 96! When you're that age, you're allowed to stop breathing.
Died at 96 years of old age... AND YOU WANNA NIT-PICK ABOUT CAUSE OF DEATH ?!?
Some people are NEVER satisfied.
A great doctor and a great man. RIP.
I had his medical book when raising my kids - was the best book to have for reference of when to call the doctor. Rest in Peace.
I agree with the above comments. You were a person in a political office who did not cower to political pressure. A rare find and I wish we had more of your kind in office today.
His career reminds me of the remark by German Philosopher Frederick Nietczhe:'anything good about Christianity is not Christian at all'. The man was distorted history,and was a religious fanatic.He only as good as SG because he DID his job,without his personal religious insanity influencing him.
RIP C Everett Koop! B/c of you I never smoked. Thank you.
We could use more leaders like Dr. Koop. R.I.P. Dr. Koop.
A great medical conscience without politics! Thank You!
The beauty of what Koop brought to the table was that it appealed to all of us, on every level of life. He communicated plainly, spoke about all with equal value and bowed to no one in his quest to do what he believed he was put in the position to do. The word "Maverick" comes to mind.
Signed, a grateful ex-smoker. Rest peacefully Sir.
Steve,I'm sorry but i don't share your opinion.When I saw him on television giving his medical advice I switched channels.The Surgeon General is another job title that the U.S. could do away with so save money.
Well just a cleaning lady--I'm sorry to hear that you don't share Steve's opinion. Perhaps you are young enough that you don't remember when a pack of cigarettes didn't come with warnings about how it could kill you, cause low birth rate in children or any number of other known risks. Perhaps if those warnings had comes years earlier, my mother--an RN who smoked all of her adult life--wouldn't have died in agony from COPD. Perhaps my father would still be alive as well, rather than succumbing to several types of cancer after a lifetime habit of 2-3 packs a day.
Perhaps you are young enough that you don't remember tobacco ads all over TV, and in every magazine. How you could be the Marlboro Man, or Joe Cool smoking a Camel. Or the ads specific to women? Virginia Slims? How VERY feminine.
Evidently you, as a cleaning lady, haven't had to clean up after the burnt tobacco smell in the upholstery, the clothing, the bedding, the WALLS of one's home. Shall we talk about the secondhand smoke that I grew up with?
I happened to have had the privilege of knowing Dr. Koop. The expression: "A gentleman and a scholar" comes to mind. Only recently he could still be seen attending events at Dartmouth, and at Dartmouth Medical School, now the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. Walking with a cane, often with someone on his arm, but determined to lend his voice to the discussion. In a day when we could use more elder statesmen, more steady voices of sanity, instead we get the drivel that people like you post online.
But then, you couldn't have known these things. As you just said, you changed the channel.
Thank you for your services as a physician, Surgeon General, and as a role model. Rest in peace.
RIP Surgeon General Koop. At least you brought frank discussions about health issues. Condolences to your family and loved ones.
An egomaniac always shouting me me me!
A wife of 70 years passes and is hardly cold when he marries again.
Do you consider 3 years as hardly cold? What an idiot.
Cubical, two posts and two moronic comments.
Going for the Hat Trick soon?
I copy verno, cunical either doesn't know what he's talking about, is trying to spread hatred, or is an idiot.
Spouses:
Betty Koop (1938–2007; her death)
Cora Hogue Koop (2010–2013; his death)
3 years is not "hardly cold" by any standards; especially a 90+ year old man.
cunical is just plain juvenile bitchy...
A wonderful man that stood up for everyone's health, even in adversity to President Reagan. Thank you for thinking of the health of your patients and your service to our country. May you rest in peace and condolences to your family for sharing you with our country.
Not sure why the author of the article thinks Koop turned the position into a "bullying pulpit." If you want to see a bullying pulpit, try looking at the current president. Talk about bullying!
It was turned into a "bully pulpit" because before Dr. Koop and soon after Surgeons General usually are invisible and never heard from.
Just because you are heard from does not make you a bully. Seems to me there could have been a better choice of words for his raising the visibility of the position.
Bill is nothing but an ignorant Wedgehead....
Will4203: What do you know about me that you can conclude that I am an ignorant Wedgehead?
I wonder if evil prevails more prominently now than ever before in the history of this country, or not? Judging from the mindless post to this story topic I think quite possibly that this is so.
It's a phrase: bully pulpit. Not bullying pulpit. It has nothing to do with bullying. Obtuse weenies make me want to become a bully. Go write "I respect the office if not the man" 100 times, obtuse weenie.
Martin:
You could well be correct. I can't think of a time in the history of America where evil prevailed to a greater extent. Certainly there are examples in the history of the world, but I would be hard pressed to refute your premise for the history of our country.
Mr. Demon:
Yes, it is a phrase, but words mean things. I could utter a racial slur and say that it is just a phrase. People would jump all over me for that.
And allow me to ask what you know about me to describe me as an obtuse weenie?
"Bully pulpit" does not mean what you might think it means. It has nothing to do with "bullying". Check Wikipedia for an explanation. Dr. Koop was a great, great man. We need lots more like him in government and other places of authority.
Bully pulpit in the good (Rooseveltian?) sense unlike the current affair with the President insisting on another tax increase.
I think speed demon is correct, Bill P... you are an obtuse weenie. You should actually look things up (as Fred suggests), but then you wouldn't likely understand anyway.
Dr. Koop was an honorable, effective man who deserves respect. RIP Dr. Koop.
His life alert battery must have ran out
Dear Dr. Koop; You helped a increasingly hysterical nation calm down when A.I.D.S raised its ugly head. I wish we had more leaders like you instead of what we have now. R.I.P Doctor.
My God, it was so sudden! It makes one think... If it can happen to him... (At least I think that's what Krammer said. I miss Seinfeld.)
You know that job has to stink.
I wonder if he was a vegetarian... Rest in Peas Dr. Koop!
*snerk*
I will assume the cause of death was lung cancer...just an assumption seeing how he wanted the people of the United States to stop smoking and went all out to try and make that happen. I always thought the guy wanted his name on a bronze plat.
lol...at the age of 96, I will assume the cause of death was damn near everything !!
RIP Dr. Coop...your legacy of swimming upstream against the corporate and government tide will endure. You are, and will remain a role model for saying what needs to be said. Vaya Con Dios my friend....
I agree! You don't need an excuse note to leave the planet at that age.
My condolences to his friends and family. My thanks for a job well done.
Rest in Peace, Mr. C. E. Koop! You served your nation as a patriot and did your duty. God bless you, Sir! God's peace be with you, and with the family you leave behind.
Good riddence
I believe you mean "riddance", Boozer. Put the bottle down whilst writing, genius.
Cunical - the reason he promoted condom is because kids gonna do it anyhow so why not protect them from the disease and as far as smoking ask anyone it is as addicting as herion and any other drug I have heard people say they can't stop if you haven't done it you befor or know someone who do you will never know if right after a doctor tells you you have cancer and you still crave those things and smoke anyhow it got to have some powerful drug in them, yes this happened to a friend I know. Thats exactly why they need in 30 day clinics for people who smoke and the reason they don't cause they will be over powered with people checking in and the tobacca company will go out of business.
Clickchick, he was promoting the use of condoms as a means of helping stop the spread of aids. He wasn't specifying kids. He was of the '80s...the passing out of condoms to school kids was after his time.
I think clickchick was responding specifically to cunical's post 1.1 accusing Dr. Koop of promoting promiscuity among children.
And to his family very sorry for your lost. RIP Sir
he was the last s.g that was worth more than 2 squirts of goat pee. Bunch of losers who are out of touch with reality since.