Hans Kopper was a renaissance man, although he’d never tell you that.
Born in Poland, Hans was an excellent student at the University of Hamburg, graduating with a Master’s degree in Physical Chemistry. That degree, and subsequent training at Harvard, led to a career in Germany and the United States with BASF, a
worldwide chemical company. After BASF, he went on to be president of Badishe Chemical.
Never one to be idle, Hans and his wife Brigitte enjoyed racing sailboats, competing in the Baltic and Mediterranean. He learned to fence, he rode horses and they traveled. A favorite hobby was flying his Cessna, a passion developed later in life.
The link among many of these interests? The beauty of nature and the joy of being outside. That’s why, with a generous gift of $800,000, Dr. Kopper funded the Hans and Brigitte Kopper Campus Beautification Endowment. This gift, the single largest gift in our history, will benefit campus beautification for years to come.
The first project will honor their love of the outdoors. The first phase will be a newly refreshed and updated outdoor dining space. Inspired by the Social Terrace at the Williamsburg Inn, this space features a custom-designed bar for refreshments as well as colorful plantings. We hope to add cooling misters to help keep everyone comfortable in the summer as well as heaters for those autumn evenings. The next phase, likely Spring 2022, will add new lounge seating and dining tables to create a relaxing and welcoming outdoor space. Subsequent phases will include an outdoor kitchen on the lower level near the pool.
Thanks to the generosity and foresight of Hans and his wife Brigitte, residents and guests of Williamsburg Landing will enjoy a refreshed place to meet and dine.
The Hans and Brigitte Kopper Campus Beautification Endowment is Hans Kopper’s gift to the place he called home. Want to add to this endowment? Want to create your own? Let’s talk.
Sally Wolfe, Senior Director of Development
swolfe@williamsburglanding.org
800.554.5517 / 757.253.9677