"If one word could sum up his life, it would be 'teacher,'" said Myron's son, Mike Koppang. "Everything he did revolved around teaching."
Myron, a North Dakota native, moved to Wahpeton in 1965 to be a teacher of accounting and business at the North Dakota State College of Science. That was just the start of more than 30 years that he gave to the college. Myron became the Business Division Dean in 1969 and was appointed vice president of business affairs in 1978 by then president Clair T. Blikre. At that time Blikre commended Myron for his many years of experience and for being instrumental in the growth of the curriculum and student enrollment in the business division.
 Myron Koppang dedicated his life to his family and helping youth in the community. He died Tuesday, March 4 at his home in Wahpeton. Photo submitted. Advertisement |
"What really impressed me with Myron was his commitment to youth in the community," said Wahpeton Mayor Jim Sturdevant. Sturdevant presented Myron with the Citizen of the Year award in 1995.
"He was a great giver of his time," said his son, Kevin Koppang.
Like many of his pursued interests, he started helping with Boy Scouts when his three sons, Mike, Kevin and Bruce showed interest. In the beginning years, he volunteered as a Webelo Cub Scout leader (9- and 10-year-olds) for three years before he was asked to be a Scout Master. For more then 20 years he kept active in helping scouts in weekly meetings, camping trips, community service projects, Eagle project work and personal growth.
In an August 1985 Daily News archive article, when he received the Extra Mile Award, Myron said he didn't think of the many hours he devoted to the scouting program as work. He donated more than 300 hours of volunteer scouting work each year.
"I love to work with young people. It's so rewarding to see their growth and development — see them mature and develop responsibly," said Myron when he received the award in 1985.
As Scout Master for Wahpeton Troop 346 for so many years he saw many boys achieve great things. He saw 36 scouts achieve Eagle Scout status while many more earned bronze and silver eagle palms. Also, beginning in 1986, until his retirement as Scout Master in 1995, the troop received the Quality Unit Award.
Again, his children would say he did it because of his love of life. Myron loved to active and to be involved.
"That's just how it was," said all of his children. They remember a childhood filled with sports, a childhood filled with endless activity. Very rarely, said Mike, would they just be sitting.
Myron stayed active in other activities the kids were involved in, such as Sunday school, softball, basketball, camping and so many others.
"He was our biggest fan," said his daughter Connie.
Connie described a story, which proves so many youth were big fans of Myron's too.
She said their family was at home one evening, all sitting down to dinner when they were kids and the doorbell rang. Connie went to the door and found standing on the other side were the neighbor kids asking if her dad could come out and play.
"He'll come out after dinner," Connie remembers replying.
It was no secret how much Myron loved his children and the youth of the community.
"I think they learned a lot about life from Myron," said Sturdevant.
Because he was lucky to have nine grandchildren, Myron was able to bestow his love of youthful spirits with them as well. Myron's children said he didn't slow down any for them either; he was just as active at 71 as he was in his younger days.
Myron's three sons remember a fishing trip just last summer when they all broke out in a water fight. Through laughter and a few tears, they remember their father chasing after them with a full bucket of water. During the same trip, Myron's sons said for the first time he tried tubing behind a boat. Although he couldn't quite get the hang of it, did a nose dive where the tub went under water before he could get going, they know their father had fun.
"He wasn't going to let life happen, he was going to be a part of it," said Connie.
Because he was part of so many people's lives, so many admired, appreciated and loved Myron for all that he did. So like the list of his involvements and achievements is long, so is the list of those that will surely miss him.
Clay Carpenter wrote on Nov 12, 2009 11:56 PM:
I miss all our good times in Germany.
Your a Patriot and the definition of an American. "
Veronica A wrote on Jun 19, 2009 10:12 AM:
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