HOODSPORT, Wash. – Bob Cope passed away Aug. 1, 2009, at his home. He was born May 25, 1934, in Puyallup, Wash., to Robert and Eleanor Cope. Bob grew up in the South Prairie – Orting, Wash., 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 Washington State University football team and a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He remained an avid Washington State University Cougar fan his entire life. Directly after college Bob joined St. Regis – Champion Paper Co., working in the woods outside of Orting, Wash. 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 firefighter with Orting Fire Department and a member of Orting Lions, Orting Eagles, Puyallup Elks, Scottish Rites of Free Masonry Valley Lodge No. 71 and Shriners. Upon retirement Bob and Jenny moved to their home on the canal in Hoodsport, Wash. 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 ones 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 and Chuck Baskett, Carol Skinner, Carla and Gary Ferguson, Chuck and Kirsten Cope, Tonya and Dave Foster, and Jeff Ary and Leah West; grandchildren, Nathan, Cody, Adriane, Boone, TJ, Sam, Jackie, Mason, Morgan, Kasie, Nick, John and Connor; four great-grandchildren; brother, Bill and Shirley Cope; mother, Eleanor Cope; first wife, Monalee Cope; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at Orting City Cemetery with a memorial service afterward at Orting Eagles. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Bob Cope Memorial Scholarship, Orting Alumni Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 46, Orting, WA 98360.
ROBERT D. COPE
