Robert Kope

Robert "Bob" Reed Kope was born in Hugo, OK on May 1, 1916, the youngest child of Elizabeth and Edward Kope. Bob graduated from Winfield High School in Winfield, KS and attended Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. In 1936 he married Aula Nadine Holmes of Arkansas City, Kansas. They were married for nearly 60 years, until her death in 1996.
Even though he had a permanent deferment, Bob volunteered for the U. S. Army in 1943. He served in the 361st Special Services Engineers – an elite group comprised of persons who owned businesses or worked in the mechanical field. Usually this group was three weeks ahead of any invasion forces, charged with the responsibilities of building roads and bridges to accommodate incoming US forces. During World War II, Bob served in the Battle of the Bulge. He arrived in France three days after D-Day. When the victory was declared in Europe, he was sent to the Philippines and later was a part of the occupational forces of post-war Japan.
Bob worked for various oilfield companies during oil booms in Illinois and Kentucky. He was the third person hired by Zach Brinkerhoff with Brinkerhoff Signal Company that provided oilfield services during the major oil booms in this country, including Illinois, Kentucky, Alaska, and the Rocky Mountain States as well as Canada. He worked for Mr. Brinkerhoff until his retirement in 1982, for a total of 43 years.
Bob and Nadine were the founders of the Natrona County Rockhound Club. He spent his time collecting some of the finest specimens of gem quality Wyoming jade. During his lifetime he amassed perhaps the largest single collection of Wyoming jade in the country. In addition, he collected works of far eastern jade carvings, other rocks such as agate, and pietra duras pictures. Bob was entrepreneurial in spirit, owning up to five different businesses at one time. He owned a hot shot service, a small engine repair, tool pusher supply, and his jade collection. Bob loved to barter and trade. He was a great story teller.
Bob was brought to the Lord by Mrs. Brinkerhoff. He devoted his life to his Lord and he demonstrated his faith every day. From the store clerk to his walking buddies, he always asked God to bless them.
He was preceded in death by; his parents, two brothers, and two sisters.
Bob is survived by: his nieces, Virginia Roof of Grand Lake, CO, Dorothy Star of Round Rock, TX, Margaret McMillan of Merriam, KS, Karen Lasho of Praire Village, KS; a nephew, Ed Kope of Wichita, KS; and his "daughter" Robin Mundell and her family, Randy Sternberg and family, Judy and Jerry Farley of Casper; as well as several friends he considered as family.
FUNERAL SERVICES: A Funeral Service for Bob will take place on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 710 E. 2nd St., Casper, WY. Interment will follow immediately at Wyoming Memorial Gardens, next to his beloved Nadine.
The family requests that donations be made, in Bob's name, directly to: the Natrona County Rockhound Club, Box 123, Mills, WY 82644