Robert Gorsuch, 97

Robert V. Gorsuch passed away on July 6, 2024, at age 97. 

He was born in Kamiah, Idaho, on Oct. 11, 1926, to Austin Mark Gorsuch and Hilda Olson Gorsuch. He served in the U.S. Army in 1945 stationed in Korea. He attended the University of Idaho and received a bachelor's degree in forestry. He was a smokejumper from 1947 through 1952. In 1951, he opened the smokejumper base at West Yellowstone, Montana. As a permanent employee of the National Park Service, he was a crew leader with four jumpers. He retired from the U.S. Forest Service in 1983 after a 35-year career. He then worked part-time for the Federal Emergency Management Agency assisting on more than 50 disasters in the U.S. and U.S. territories of Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He fully retired in 2012 at age 85. 

He and his wife, Doris, lived near Flathead Lake in Montana from 1983 until 2017 when they moved to Lake Oswego, Oregon, to be close to family. He enjoyed gardening, working in his orchard and doting on his granddaughters. Bob taught his granddaughters how to drive, how to fish, and how to ride ATVs. His special treat was huckleberry ice cream made in a hand-cranked churn. His favorite beer was Moose Drool. He enjoyed travel with many cruises and two trips to Africa. At age 86 he was zip-lining with his granddaughters in Swaziland. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Pearl, Wes, Kenneth, Abe, Blaine and Lee, and by his son Raymond Neil. 

He is survived by his wife Doris, son Robert (Ann), and granddaughters Kelley and Taylor (Kyle). 

At his request, no service is being held.