Robert Donald Cope ⁴⁴⁰⁶

   Another name for Robert was Bob.

News Tribune
Tacoma, Washington
August 4-5, 2009

Robert D. Cope

Bob Cope passed away on August 1, 2009 at his home in Hoodsport, WA.

He was born in Puyallup, WA on May 25, 1934 to Robert and Eleanor Cope. Bob grew up in the South Prairie\\Orting area, graduating from Orting High School in 1953. During high school he played and lettered in football, basketball and baseball. After high school, Bob attended Washington State University graduating with his forestry degree in 1957. He was on the WSU football team and a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He remained an avid WSU Cougar fan his entire life. Directly after college Bob joined St. Regis\\Champion Paper Company working in the woods outside of Orting. He worked his way through the ranks there and was transferred to Maine to become General Manager of Timberlands in 1974. His last position with Champion was Director of Resource Stewardship where he served on the Maine Governor's task force which developed the Maine's Atlantic Salmon Conservation Plan.

He was very active with the American Pulpwood Association, co-founding the Industrial Forestry Forum and serving as Chairman of the Northeastern Technical Division. He was also on the Board of Directors of the Maine Forest Products Council. In 1996 he was the first industry professional to be awarded the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Chuck Yeager Award for making a difference in fish and wildlife conservation. He was also awarded the Albert D. Nutting Award from the Maine Forest Products Council and the Patrick Henry Citation from the National Guard Association of the United States. Bob had been a volunteer fireman with the Orting Fire Department and a member of the Orting Lions, Orting Eagles, The Puyallup Elks, The Scottish Rites of Free Masonry Valley Lodge #71 and the Shriners.

Upon retirement Bob and Jenny moved to their home on the Canal in Hoodsport, WA. Relaxing was not in his nature and he kept busy shrimping and crabbing at the canal. He also became very active in the Orting Eagles, serving as trustee the last few years. He not only served as trustee but you could find him doing everything from dishes to maintenance at the club. He renewed many old friendships and made many new at the Eagles. He was awarded the 2008 Eagle of the Year Award. His other enjoyment in retirement was his family. He was the driving instructor for the grandkids and the clam digging instructor for them all. He was an active supporter of the Orting High School football and wrestling programs. You could always find him on Friday nights on the sidelines following the ball up and down the football field watching his grandson's play.

Survivors include his wife Jennifer, children Candy(Chuck) Baskett, Carol Skinner, Carla(Gary) Ferguson, Chuck (Kirsten) Cope, Tonya(Dave) Foster, Jeff Ary and Leah West. Grandchildren, Nathan, Cody, Adriane, Boone, TJ, Sam, Jackie, Mason, Morgan, Kasie, Nick, John and Connor and four great grandchildren. Brother Bill (Shirley) Cope, Mother Eleanor Cope, first wife, Monalee Cope and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Graveside Service will be held on Friday, August 7, 2009 at 1:00pm at Orting City Cemetery followed by a Memorial Service at the Orting Eagles. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Bob Cope Memorial Scholarship, Orting Alumni Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 46, Orting, WA 98360.

Robert married Living