Joseph "Joe" C. Kopf, Jr.

Joseph “Joe” Kopf, Jr passed away on August 30, 2025, on Hilton Head Island, SC. He was 88.

Joe was born on May 4, 1937, in Lansdowne, PA to Joseph Carl Kopf, Sr. and Elizabeth Victoria Bunting and grew up in the Philadelphia area. As a child, he was musically gifted; he sang in choir and played the organ and piano which he continued playing throughout his life. He graduated from Episcopal Academy, Bucknell University, and received an MBA in Marketing from Michigan State University. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army in February 1969. He worked for The Ford Motor Company as an assistant to Lee Iacocca. After leaving Ford, he joined IBM where he worked until his retirement. During his 30+ years with IBM, he went from selling typewriters to computer systems around the world and held multiple management positions. He lived in Paris for 3 years and continued traveling the world training clients on the latest products. Upon returning to the US, he finished his career in the DC metropolitan area and resided in Potomac, MD. Upon retirement, he split his time between Hilton Head Island and Port Sanilac, MI.

Joe could not stay retired for long and continued working in familiar fields as well as discovering new ones. Additionally, he volunteered with many organizations. A small sampling includes The Potomac Horse Center in Potomac, MD, as well as being a referee for youth soccer, the Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission, an Advisory Board Member of the Island Recreation Center and SHARE on Hilton Head Island. He also served on the Transportation Committee of the Greater Island Council and was a volunteer for the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. Additionally, Joe supported the Port Sanilac Fire Department by assisting with everything from fundraising to washing the fire truck.  

Joe lived life on his terms. He enjoyed traveling the world, spending time with family and friends, participating in soccer, horseback riding, tennis, golf, fishing, and playing the piano, as well as attending Baltimore Ravens football games.

Joe is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Mary Ellen, daughters Sandra Burch (Tim) of Ocean View, DE and Carolyn Kopf (Marc Downs) of Atlanta, GA, and two grandsons, Michael and Kian Burch.  

The family asks that donations be made to the Maldo Ellen Talick Endowed Memorial Scholarship at Wayne State University, Gifting Program, 5700 Cass Avenue, Suite 1200, Detroit, MI 48202.