C. Everett Koop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
C. Everett Koop
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13th Surgeon General of the United States | |
In office January 21, 1982 – October 1, 1989 |
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President | Ronald Reagan George H. W. Bush |
Preceded by | Edward Brandt (Acting) |
Succeeded by | James Mason (Acting) |
Personal details | |
Born |
Charles Everett Koop
October 14, 1916 New York City, New York, U.S. |
Died | February 25, 2013 Hanover, New Hampshire, U.S. |
(aged 96)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Flanagan (1938–2007) Cora Hogue (2010–2013) |
Children | 4 |
Education | Dartmouth College (BA) Cornell University (MD) University of Pennsylvania (DSc) |
Charles Everett Koop (October 14, 1916 – February 25, 2013) was an American physician who became well known as a pediatric surgeon at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. He was an early name in today's pediatric surgery. He then served as the Surgeon General of the United States and as vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps from 1982 to 1989, under President Ronald Reagan.
He was thought of as the first "celebrity Surgeon General", because he is the first Surgeon General to receive an Emmy Award, and remains the only Surgeon General to have done so. Koop was also called Chick Koop by some of his friends.
Personality
These four views, along with Koop's personality and use of the media, made the office of Surgeon General more well known than it was before. Koop was unusual in his style, and well known for his mustache-less beard and colorful bow ties.
Personal life
Koop was born on October 14, 1916 in Brooklyn, New York. He studied at Dartmouth College, at Cornell Medical College, and at the University of Pennsylvania. He was married to Betty Koop from 1938 until her death in 2007. Then he was married to Cora Hogue Koop from 2010 until his death in 2013. He had four children.
Death
Koop died on February 25, 2013 from unknown causes. During the past months, Koop had been ill. He suffered renal failure the past week in his home in Hanover, New Hampshire. He was 96 years old.
Award and honors

- Legion of Honor (1980)
- Public Welfare Medal from the National Academy of Sciences (1990)
- Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism (1991)
- Emmy Award in the News and Documentary category for "C. Everett Koop, MD," a five-part series on health care reform (1991)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (1995)
- Heinz Award in Public Policy (1996)
Images for kids
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