Cooper McKinnon
 

The young man in the picture above is named Cooper McKinnon. This picture was taken at the 2012 World Championships when he was a senior.

The first real FRC event I went to was a week zero event hosted by my team at a Chaska elementary school during the 2011 Logomotion game. Despite taking place in an elementary school gym, we had two fantastic emcees who made the event come alive— our robot wasn’t moving, but I still remember the excitement that Cooper and his friend Alex brought to the competition. As the day progressed, they got more and more caution tape thrown on them— they made hula skirts out of the stuff, and crowns, and shirts. It was draped over them like a robe. Cooper in particular never let the excitement die down— leading dances, organizing “human Logomotion” where mentors and students competed as robots. Even when our team was struggling to find anything to be happy about at the week zero, he was there, and his excitement.

The rest of that season didn’t treat us much better, but Cooper was still there, cheering as loud as ever when our robot took the field, even if it never moved and only managed to score less than a dozen tubes all season.

On Sunday, March 16th, 2014, we lost Cooper.

Today, his memorial service was held, and among the speakers were all the people whose lives he touched, stories like mine of the enthusiastic, optimistic personality he projected to us all.

I can’t say I knew Cooper well, but he was an alumni of Team 2220, and he made an entire season of failure seem like the best thing in the world for me as a clueless freshman. He was an example to our entire team of how to behave at competitions-- boundless enthusiasm, willing to help anyone that asked. His loss leaves our team and community the worse.

There is help out there, whether it's for you, or a friend. Whether it's depression or any number of other stressors, there are resources out there and there are people, friends, family, community that can help. There's a stigma around depression and suicide in our society that makes it difficult for those that need help the most to find it. Just because he appeared to be happy didn't mean that he was.

There are endless what if's and could have been's that lead into this tragedy, and I can only hope that our experience can serve to help someone, somewhere, to seek they help they need, and a friend, family, community, team, church to give it.

Re: Cooper McKinnon
 

I along with Team 1708 are sorry for the loss he seemed to embody the true spirit of FIRST whether the team won or lost he still had fun. I am sure he will be missed in the FIRST community. Hopefully he is starting or joining some FRC teams up in heaven! :)

Re: Cooper McKinnon
 

Crud. I hate when that happens. A permanent solution to a temporary problem.

It really doesn't matter the details, what I highlighted above says it. All anyone has to do is ask.

Rest In Peace, Cooper.

Re: Cooper McKinnon
 

On behalf of Team 2386 we would like to extend our condolences to Team 2220 and Cooper's friends and family.

RIP Cooper

Re: Cooper McKinnon
 

The loss of a team member is an immense tragedy, one that I've experienced and one that should be felt by nobody. Cooper will be in the thoughts and prayers of Team 271, and we would all like to extend our dearest condolences to you and your team, and to the McKinnon family. Best of luck to the Blue Twilight family this season, and may everyone remember that help is out there, do not be discouraged from seeking it out.

Rest in peace, Cooper.

Re: Cooper McKinnon
 

I would like to give my condolences to Cooper family and Team 2220, on the behalf of Team 997.

Re: Cooper McKinnon
 

I'll be keeping Cooper and his family in my thoughts and prayers. My condolences go out to his family.

It's always heart-breaking when we loose a member of the FIRST family.

Rest in Peace Cooper.

Re: Cooper McKinnon
 

Team 449 extends our condolences to Cooper, his family, and Team 2220. So sad to lose such an enthusiastic and spirited member of FIRST. Hopefully we can try our best to prevent something like this from happening again by providing whatever help we can to those suffering from depression.

Rest in peace Cooper.

Re: Cooper McKinnon
 

Thank you for sharing your story with us here and on Tumblr. I really admire your strength for wanting to affect other people's life with Cooper's story. You say that you didn't know him very well, but taking his story and how he inspired you to inspire others is truly beautiful. (Maybe you knew his heart better than you thought you did) I am keeping you, Cooper's family, Team 2220, and everyone else who knew Cooper in my prayers. You have definitely inspired me and I'm sure many others, thank you again for sharing your story.

Re: Cooper McKinnon
 

Thanks for sharing your memories Nick. I imagine that you lost a few tears in the process. It's a reminder of how lucky we all are. I thought I would let you know that on the link I posted on facebook, I added the following: If more people reminded their friends of how much they do matter and mean to them, we would have a lot more of them still here today.

I think it's safe to say that the whole FIRST community is mourning your loss and his teams loss.

I want to leave you with the thought that now he's up there, he has unlimited time to be designing and building robots up there that we can only dream of.
-David

Re: Cooper McKinnon
 

Thank you all for your kind words and support. The team and family appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

We'll be honoring his memory with caution tape ribbons at our next competition.

Re: Cooper McKinnon
 

Team 1902 extends our condolences to the Cooper Family and Team 2220. Our Thoughts are with you all.

Re: Cooper McKinnon
 

My condolences go out to Cooper's family and friends, along with Team 2220.

A terrible loss.. for all of us.