Robert Cope

Chronicle Staff

Published: Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

Robert Wendell Cope was born to Grace (Northrup) and Ben Cope on July 10, 1932, in Mitchell, S.D.  He attended grade school and high school in Artesian, S.D.  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.  Upon returning to the States, he met his wife, Shirley Matthews, and they were married Nov. 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, S.D. 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 RV in which he used to travel with his wife to nearly all of the 50 states, andit 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 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. Robert died in his sleep on Saturday, March 21, 2009, at his residence in Rapid City, S.D. He was 76.  He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Shirley (Matthews) Cope; his daughter Laurel (Manley) Peterson of Dawson, Minn.; and three grandchildren, Dustin Peterson of Granby, Colo., Dani Peterson of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Darci Peterson of Brookings, S.D. Funeral services were March 25 at Kirk Funeral Home with Pastor Neal Hughes officiating. Graveside services will be Friday, March 27, at 10 a.m. at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Artesian. A memorial has been established. Family and friends may sign Robert’s online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.