Robert E. Kopp

Robert Elmer Kopp, 90, of Great Falls, passed away on Monday, May 18, 2015.Robert was born on November 23, 1924 in Sidney, Montana to Robert and Hulda Kopp. He attended elementary schools in the Girard Community, west of Fairview, MT, and graduated from Sidney High School in 1943. Since WWII was in progress, he immediately enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He spent the next two years in the European theater of operations. When this war was ended, he re-enlisted in the service and remained in the military, retiring in 1967 with 24 years of service.Robert married Joan M. Simonsen in Sidney on April 14, 1954 and they traveled together with their family on all subsequent military assignments until his retirement. Their first son, Dean was born in England on September 21, 1956 and their second son, Ronald was born on August 31, 1959 at Castle Air Force Base near Merced, CA.He and his family settled in Great Falls, MT after his retirement from the Air Force in 1967, and the following year he became director of the Demolay Memorial Youth Center. Although the building was sold in 1988, he continued with the Demolay Memorial Foundation and its scholarship program until 2007.He was a member of Cascade Masonic Lodge No. 34 of Great Falls, Scottish Rite, and Algeria Shrine. Robert was selected as a Legion of Honor member of the International Order of Demolay in November, 2001.Robert is survived by his wife, Joan; sons Dean (Janice) of Stafford, CT and Ron (Peggy) of Girard Community by Fairview, MT; seven grandchildren, Deanne, Colleen, Austin, Nathan, and Adele of Stafford, CT and Ryan and Marcia of Girard Community; and two great grandchildren Sylvi and Fjola of Stafford, CT.He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Hulda Kopp; sisters Helen and Dorothy; and brother Gerald.No services are planned at this time. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home.