Bob Shope graduated from the University of Washington in 1969 and married Barbara Anne Potts on June 25, 1972. They lived in Seattle, where he worked as a kindergarten teacher. They had two children, Rebecca (4/7/77) and Anna (2/15/79). He died on June 9, 1989.
Here is an article about Shope (that's what I always called him) sent by Dennis Radtke. Thanks so much Dennis
I'm still trying to catch up on all the articles and comments. I remember Bob from many junior and high school classes. He was a good friend. He lived his life as a true inspiration to his community and I applaud him for that!
An unforgettable picture of Bob Shope that I have was at the Latin Banquet. When I arrived, Bob, who was dressed in a toga, was lying in a prone position,lowering a bunch of grapes into his mouth. He was always so much fun and was a great listener
greetings all, last night, i received this email
asking for assistance from those who may have known Bob Shope.
i am posting a copy here in case any would like to help;
From: Chris Johnson
Email: johnsonfilms@gmail.com
Hi, I'm a documentary filmmaker working on a project about your late '65 classmate Robert (Bob) Shope. I was wondering if anyone would be willing speak with me about their memories of him. You can reach me at johnsonfilms@gmail.com
Thanks!
Here is more context: Jim Hopper
"Thanks for the quick reply, Jim and putting me in touch with the others. I’m looking forward to speaking with all of you. I would love it if I could speak to as many people as I could about Bob so if you’d like to put the information on your class site, I’d really appreciate that as well.
To give you all a bit of context about my project, Bob Shope was my kindergarten teacher in Seattle in 1987/1988. He left our class in the middle of the year when he got sick, and passed away the following June. He was beloved by the students, parents, and community when he fell ill. The whole community rallied around him and supported him. I remember visiting him in the hospital with my parents, bringing him home-cooked meals. Now, as a professional filmmaker, I’m telling Bob’s life story. I’ve spoken to his two daughters, who are supportive of this project.
My number is (917) 659-1600. If you’d like to speak to me, feel free to give me a call anytime, or you can reply to this email. Whichever is easier for you.
Looking forward to speaking with you all about Bob and your memories of him from his Billings days."
George Ryan here. I was part of a group of friends that included Bob during high school. I would certainly like to help you with your project honoring him. I don’t have the best memory in the world, but I suspect if we use reply-all emails, or postings on the website, one story may prompt others.
My enduring memory of Bob is his sense of humor and his enjoyment of bad puns, mostly those of his making. I also remember a lively discussion with him after we were in college about Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul, and Mary, and others, and who was the better musician and songwriter. I think time has shown that Bob’s vote for Dylan as the poet-of-our-generation was correct.
Hopefully you’ll hear from other classmates who knew Bob.
Good luck with your film; I’d love to see it when you’re finished.
David Butler here. As Jim said, I was a friend of Bob's in high school, but not as close as Jim, George, or Ben. Nevertheless, I would be glad to help you in any way I can.
As George implied, you are dealing with an early Altzheimer's population here :-)😊, so memories are both faded and unreliable. But what the heck . . .
I simply remember Bob as someone whom I liked and enjoyed talking to, but I have two regrets in his regard.
First, I regret hitting him over the head with a candy cane in a skit we did for our homeroom class (I believe) in the tenth grade (I believe). I was Santa Clause and he was a little boy sitting on my lap telling me what he wanted for Christmas, and, for reasons I do not remember, the skit ended with me bopping him with the candy cane. I hit him way too hard and he was almost in tears at the end.
Damn.
The second regret is more important. When Bob became ill, I decided to send him a letter telling him how much I admired how he had lived his life. I waited too long, and he died before I could tell him.
Rest in peace, Bob. You were loved and admired.
So, thank you for taking on this project. I think Bob's life certainly deserves to be honored.
All the best,
David
p.s. I just recalled another incident with Bob. If I remember correctly, Bob very much wanted to become a doctor (a pediatricain, I suspect), l and, in the early 70s, came down to Denver (where I lived at the time) to interview at C.U. med school. A few of his friends got together to host him and hang out together. We all hoped he would get into the med school and join the contingent from Billings now living in Colorado.
He did not - much to our regret and probably more so to his. . .
I had a nice chat with Chris Johnson about his project.
NOTE: One common element with all replying was Billing Key Club membership.
Some items I touched on:
English, chemistry and math classes at BHS.
Morning homework review in the study hall with Barry Bull, Dave Butler, Terri Mattison, etc.
Bob's stylish wheels -1948 straight 8 Packard. What a beaut!
Bob's backyard pool. His family.
In our sophomore year Bob joined Maureen Johnson and me at the the University of Washington. We got together frequently. Our dorms were next to each other.
In our Jr. an Sr. years Bob lived in a rental house with other guys. Bob became an accomplished home brewer!
I remember enjoying discussing music, literature and general BS.
I also found Bob to be helpful if I had a problem. A good friend! Smart, kind, thoughtful guy. Miss him.
Bob Shope graduated from the University of Washington in 1969 and married Barbara Anne Potts on June 25, 1972. They lived in Seattle, where he worked as a kindergarten teacher. They had two children, Rebecca (4/7/77) and Anna (2/15/79). He died on June 9, 1989.
Barry Bull
George Ryan is correct. I found Bob in the 1969 University of Washington yearbook online. Would you please change the entry, Jim Hopper.
Jim Hopper
Done.
Barry Bull
Thanks, JIm.
Janet Niemi (Chubb)
Thanks Dennis for posting this for us. Bob was coureageous wasn't he?
Marla Connor (Davenport)
I'm still trying to catch up on all the articles and comments. I remember Bob from many junior and high school classes. He was a good friend. He lived his life as a true inspiration to his community and I applaud him for that!
Merry Steffensen (Wottawah)
An unforgettable picture of Bob Shope that I have was at the Latin Banquet. When I arrived, Bob, who was dressed in a toga, was lying in a prone position,lowering a bunch of grapes into his mouth. He was always so much fun and was a great listener
Jim Hopper
Here is a post from Milo about Bob Shope
greetings all, last night, i received this email
asking for assistance from those who may have known Bob Shope.
i am posting a copy here in case any would like to help;
From: Chris Johnson
Email: johnsonfilms@gmail.com
Hi, I'm a documentary filmmaker working on a project about your late '65 classmate Robert (Bob) Shope. I was wondering if anyone would be willing speak with me about their memories of him. You can reach me at johnsonfilms@gmail.com
Thanks!
Here is more context: Jim Hopper
"Thanks for the quick reply, Jim and putting me in touch with the others. I’m looking forward to speaking with all of you. I would love it if I could speak to as many people as I could about Bob so if you’d like to put the information on your class site, I’d really appreciate that as well.
To give you all a bit of context about my project, Bob Shope was my kindergarten teacher in Seattle in 1987/1988. He left our class in the middle of the year when he got sick, and passed away the following June. He was beloved by the students, parents, and community when he fell ill. The whole community rallied around him and supported him. I remember visiting him in the hospital with my parents, bringing him home-cooked meals. Now, as a professional filmmaker, I’m telling Bob’s life story. I’ve spoken to his two daughters, who are supportive of this project.
My number is (917) 659-1600. If you’d like to speak to me, feel free to give me a call anytime, or you can reply to this email. Whichever is easier for you.
Looking forward to speaking with you all about Bob and your memories of him from his Billings days."
George Ryan
David Butler
Hello Chris,
David Butler here. As Jim said, I was a friend of Bob's in high school, but not as close as Jim, George, or Ben. Nevertheless, I would be glad to help you in any way I can.
As George implied, you are dealing with an early Altzheimer's population here :-)😊, so memories are both faded and unreliable. But what the heck . . .
I simply remember Bob as someone whom I liked and enjoyed talking to, but I have two regrets in his regard.
First, I regret hitting him over the head with a candy cane in a skit we did for our homeroom class (I believe) in the tenth grade (I believe). I was Santa Clause and he was a little boy sitting on my lap telling me what he wanted for Christmas, and, for reasons I do not remember, the skit ended with me bopping him with the candy cane. I hit him way too hard and he was almost in tears at the end.
Damn.
The second regret is more important. When Bob became ill, I decided to send him a letter telling him how much I admired how he had lived his life. I waited too long, and he died before I could tell him.
Rest in peace, Bob. You were loved and admired.
So, thank you for taking on this project. I think Bob's life certainly deserves to be honored.
All the best,
David
p.s. I just recalled another incident with Bob. If I remember correctly, Bob very much wanted to become a doctor (a pediatricain, I suspect), l and, in the early 70s, came down to Denver (where I lived at the time) to interview at C.U. med school. A few of his friends got together to host him and hang out together. We all hoped he would get into the med school and join the contingent from Billings now living in Colorado.
He did not - much to our regret and probably more so to his. . .
Dennis Radtke
I had a nice chat with Chris Johnson about his project.
NOTE: One common element with all replying was Billing Key Club membership.
Some items I touched on:
English, chemistry and math classes at BHS.
Morning homework review in the study hall with Barry Bull, Dave Butler, Terri Mattison, etc.
Bob's stylish wheels -1948 straight 8 Packard. What a beaut!
Bob's backyard pool. His family.
In our sophomore year Bob joined Maureen Johnson and me at the the University of Washington. We got together frequently. Our dorms were next to each other.
In our Jr. an Sr. years Bob lived in a rental house with other guys. Bob became an accomplished home brewer!
I remember enjoying discussing music, literature and general BS.
I also found Bob to be helpful if I had a problem. A good friend! Smart, kind, thoughtful guy. Miss him.