Robert Cope, 76, Rapid City, SD formerly of Artesian, SD passed away in his sleep on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at his residence in Rapid City. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 from Noon until 2:00 p.m. at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City. Funeral services will be held on Wedneday, March 25, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Kirk Funeral Home with Pastor Neal Hughes officiating.
A second visitation will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2009 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. CST at Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell, SD. Graveside services will be held on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 10:00 at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Artesian, SD.
Robert Wendell Cope was born to Grace (Northrup) and Ben Cope on July 10, 1932 in Mitchell, SD. He attended grade school and high school in Artesian, SD. He graduated in 1950 then went on to attend two years at South Dakota State University, where he studied Agriculture. From 1952 to 1956, he served in the Korean War as an aerial photographer for the Army. Once returning to the States, he met his wife, Shirley Matthews, and they were married November 6, 1957. They made their home in Artesian, until 1960 when they moved out onto the home place nine miles south of Artesian, where Robert and Shirley farmed until 1993. They had their daughter, Laurel Cope (Peterson), May 26, 1960.
Robert was a member of Pork Producers and Farm Bureau, but he most enjoyed South Dakota Stock Growers Association where he was honored to serve on the Board and Legislative Committee for a number of years. In 1993, Robert and Shirley retired outside of Custer, SD. Once retired, Robert enjoyed, the hills, exploring every back road and woodworking. One of his most important passions was traveling. It was for this passion that be bought an R.V. in which he used to travel with his wife to nearly all of the fifty states, it was during this time that Robert and Shirley completed the trip to Alaska, twice. During his travels, he was known for meeting and conversing with new people in order to get a sense of the places he visited.
Robert was a country man, and he was known for embracing country living whole heartedly, he will always be known by his family and friends as an old cowboy. Everyone who knew Robert would agree that he was a straight talker, he meant what he said, and he said what he meant. He was a hard worker who was committed to his business, his neighbors, his family, and most importantly he was faithful to his God.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley (Matthews) Cope; his daughter and son-in-law, Laurel (Cope) and Manley Peterson, Dawson, MN; and three grandchildren, Dustin Peterson, Granby, CO, Dani Peterson, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Darci Peterson, Brookings, SD.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial has been established.