Arthur Cooperstein, 79, Good At Figures, Friendships

Arthur Cooperstein helped manage the finances of some of Seattle's top institutions, including The Boeing Co. and UNICO Properties Inc.

The red-haired accountant did so with warmth and wit, but the man they called "Red" also could "put on a show" of righteous dudgeon to help him deliver convincing budget reports, or appease an overzealous IRS investigator.

"Art had a good sense of humor," said his wife of six years, Vevette Cooperstein of Seattle. "And he would give you the shirt off his back. But he also could get cross and say a few swear words if he needed to."

Mr. Cooperstein died of pneumonia Saturday, Dec. 9. He was 79.

A son, Jim Cooperstein of Spokane, called him a serious, pragmatic person who analyzed a situation before making decisions.

"But he wasn't a coldly analytical man. He just let people think he was mad. Like when the generalists managing the Seattle World's Fair got the glory for its success while he was one of those who had the figures and helped make it a success."

Born in Portland but reared in Seattle, Mr. Cooperstein was good at math early on.

He graduated with honors in business and economics from the UW in 1940 and became a certified public accountant. By 1947, he was assistant manager of Rossoe Heating and Manufacturing Co., and worked at Boeing before joining the Seattle World's Fair and Century 21 Exposition Inc.

"He was very good at figures and helped friends with their income taxes until recently," said his wife. "He worked as assistant comptroller for the University of Washington in the 1960s, then was with UNICO until he retired in the late 1970s."

One of his joys, other than number-crunching, was puttering about his Hood Canal beach home with his dogs or great-grandchildren. He also was keen on fishing and University of Washington sports, especially football and women's basketball.

He had done much world traveling, including a boat ride down Russia's Volga River.

Other survivors include his son Craig Cooperstein, and daughter, Janet Livingston, both of Mukilteo; sister, Marcella Outain, of Oceanside, Calif.; six grandchildren; a niece; two stepchildren; five stepgrandchildren; and six stepgreat-grandchildren. His first wife, Connie, died in 1983.

Services have been held. Remembrances may go to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1124 Columbia St., Seattle, WA 98104; to the American Lung Association of Washington, 2625 Third Ave., Seattle, WA 98121; or to the University of Washington Business Support Fund, MacKenzie Hall, Box 353200, Seattle, WA 98195.