Tina Koopmans

TINA MARIE KOOPMANS

Cedar Rapids

We regret to announce the passing of Tina Marie Koopmans, who died July 1, 2017, in Orlando, Fla.

Tina was born to Duayne and Shirley Herb in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Nov. 10,

1965.

Tina grew up in Cedar Rapids with an older brother and a younger brother and had the curiosity,

enthusiasm and adventurous spirit you would expect from a middle girl child sand-wiched between brothers. From an early age, that adventurous spirit gave Tina a desire to travel. The destination did not present itself early but she continued onward with a travel goal in mind.

Tina graduated from Washington High School in Cedar Rapids and then continued on to the University of Iowa, where she earned both a bachelor's and master's degree in library science. This she did while working full time at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. Tina's drive and goal-driven style led her through these years of simultaneous study and work.

After graduation, she continued her work at Kirkwood and began dating the man who would ultimately prove to be the love of her life, Kyle Koopmans. Tina and Kyle completed each other, eventually marrying in fabulous Las Vegas in 1998. Their relationship never stopped growing. They continued to support each other and were a model couple to others.

Kyle and Tina moved from Cedar Rapids to Glenwood Springs, Colo., in 1999 for Tina's new job as chief information officer at Colorado Mountain College through CampusWorks Inc. In 2005, after spending six years in Colorado, Tina and Kyle moved to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, where Tina was hired again as CIO, now at the University of the Virgin Islands. She would ultimately progress to the position of vice president for Information Services and Institutional Assessment.

Tina poured her heart and soul into many projects at UVI. She made a lasting impact on the university, most recently leading the school's reaccreditation effort. Her leadership guided UVI to the most impressive accreditation experience and result ever experienced at the school. She also led the charge to institutionalize assessment throughout the institution. She was the fearless leader of the information technology staff, who will miss her dearly.

The little girl from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who wanted to travel, made her dreams come true. From that initial move to Glenwood Springs, Colo., Tina eventually traveled to Egypt, Italy, Greece, Rhodes (Greek island), Turkey, Alaska, Paris, Bermuda, Portugal, Spain, Mykonos (Greek island), as well as many other Caribbean islands, all with the love of her life and the drive of her spirit.

Tina is survived by her husband, Kyle Koopmans of St. Thomas, USVI; her parents, Shirley and Duayne Herb; her brothers, Jerry (Pauline) Herb and Richard (Kandi) Herb, all of Cedar Rapids; brothers-in-law, Kevin (Diane) Koopmans of Ogden, Utah, and David (June) Koopmans of Ankeny, Iowa; as well as other relatives, colleagues and friends too numerous to mention.

A Celebration of Life service at the residence of Jerry Herb, 2316 Coldstream Ave. NE, in Cedar Rapids is scheduled for 2 p.m. on July 22. Visitation for family and friends begins at 1 p.m. at the Herb home, one hour before the celebration of life service, and resumes afterward until 5 p.m.

Tina's ashes will be spread on July 29 at one of her favorite places in the Caribbean Sea, near Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands.