Niilo Koponen
Niilo Emil Koponen (March 6, 1928 – December 3, 2013) was an American educator and politician.
Born in New York City, he moved to Fairbanks, Alaska in 1952 with his wife. Koponen received his bachelor's degree from Wilberforce University, his teaching certificate from University of Alaska Fairbanks, and his doctorate degree from Harvard University. He taught in elementary school and was principal. He helped organized a credit union and volunteer fire department. He served in the Alaska House of Representatives in 1982-1992 as a Democrat. He died in Fairbanks, Alaska.[1][2]