Richard P. Cooley

Richard Pierce Cooley (November 25, 1923 – September 21, 2016) was an American banking executive who served as president of Wells Fargo Bank and Seafirst Bank.

Early life Cooley was born in Dallas, Texas on November 25, 1923. He was a son of Victor Cooley and Helen (née Pierce) Cooley. He grew up in Rye, New York and had three younger sisters, Kay Cooley and Ann Cooley (who married James Buckley), and Helen Cooley Reilly. While at Yale, he volunteered for the U.S. Army and flew a P-38 fighter jet in the European theatre of World War II. In December 1944, while test flying a newly delivered P-38 in France, the dive flaps failed; he crashed, during which his right arm was severed. He returned to Yale where he graduated with the class of 1944. By 1968, he was promoted to president and chief executive in late 1966 at the age of 42. "The bank's loan portfolio and profits rose steadily during his tenure, as the bank expanded its reach to become a force in banking throughout California and other Western states." After his death, a revision of this book titled Level Best, was published in 2017.

Personal life Cooley was married four times. Sheila McDonnell Collins, Judith "Judy" Chase Ludwig (the daughter of his predecessor Wells Fargo president H. Stephen Chase), Mary Alice Clark Cooley and Bridget McIntyre. He was the father of:

Cooley was a member of the Augusta National Golf Club, Cypress Point Club, and the Seattle Golf Club.