He was a pediatrician and President Ronald Reagan's adviser for eight years.  Former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop died Monday.

Known religiously as a conservative, he riled critics when he came out in public supporting birth control and safe sex in an effort to stop the spread of diseases like AIDS.

He was more loved by the public than he was criticized, and Dr. Koop became one of the most outspoken and influential Surgeon Generals in U.S. history, working as a health advocate even after he left office.

He was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1916 and attended Dartmouth College before graduating from Cornell Medical School.

Known popularly for his beard and bow ties, he was also an ex-smoker, one who took the task of conducting anti-smoking campaigns seriously, suggesting that cigarettes were as addictive as heroin and cocaine.

Charles Everett Koop died at his home in New Hampshire.  He was 96 years old.

 

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