Robert Cope

Robert Eugene Cope, 94, passed peacefully out of this world on Thursday, May 1, 2025, in the home where he was born on Sept. 11, 1930. His parents were Harold and Adelia (Binau) Cope.
While growing up, he was active in 4-H, football, track and basketball as well as at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Robert graduated from Upper Sandusky High School in 1948. After graduation, he attended The Ohio State University, where he was on the freshman football team. He graduated from OSU in 1955 with a doctorate in veterinary medicine. Upon graduation, he worked with large animals in Indiana and Illinois. He was drafted by the Army a month after graduation and completed his basic training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. He served most of his time as a 1st lieutenant at Fort Lewis in Washington state. Dr. Cope ran a small animal clinic taking care of the generals’ German shepherds. He also spent time in San Francisco examining meat coming into the country. After his honorable discharge, Dr. Cope headed to Daytona Beach, Fla., where he practiced veterinary medicine for a couple of years until the pull of Wyandot County and Ohio State football brought him home. Dr. Cope was the main veterinarian for Wyandot County’s farm and pet animals, as well as racehorses for many years and spent over 50 years being the fair veterinarian. He also volunteered his services for injured wildlife being rehabilitated.
Dr. Cope was a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Upper Sandusky where he was on the church council. He was also a member of Peace Lutheran Church, Ft. Myers, Fla., and attended the Sanibel Community Church, Sanibel, Fla. He was on the Commercial Savings Bank board and the Wyandot County Health Department board. Dr. Cope raised award winning sheep and racehorses that like “Candy Super Star” who set many track records. He belonged to OSU Buckeye Club, OSU President’s Club, OSU Buckeye Boosters and OSU Vet Med Alumni Society, the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanette (Kalmbach) Cope and their four children: Robert Sandler (Nelcy) Cope of Miami, Fla.; Angela (Brian) Truka of Galena; Elizabeth (Timothy) Cassell of Columbus; and Joshua (Kristin) Cope of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by six wonderful grandchildren: Ronny Cope, Brennan, Marisa and Cael Truka, Cameron and Kasdin Cope; as well as two step-grandchildren: Justin Cassell and Thomas (Anna) Cassell. He is survived by his sister, Carol Smalley; his brother-in-law, Paul (Cheryl) Kalmbach; sisters-in-law, Laura (Jim) Cash and Rita (Jim) Wagner; and many nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law, Glenn Smalley and his sister, Rita June Cope.
Dr. Cope was an avid OSU football fan. He has also visited every state in the U.S. and many countries. Highlights of his travels include, Israel, Machu Pichu, Greek Isles, Turkey (Ephesus), Italy, the Panama Canal, Cuba, Costa Rica, St. Kitts, Germany (where he found cousins) and many other places. He had many beloved pets, “Ginn” being his favorite dog. He enjoyed the grandkids’ exploits and games.
Bob and Jeanette spent winters at their home on the Gulf of America, where they enjoyed boating and walking the beach. They also spent many summers boating on Lake Erie.
Public visitation will be held on Monday, May 5, from 5-7 p.m. at Lucas Batton Funeral Home in Upper Sandusky.
Graveside services will be private with burial taking place at Old Mission Cemetery with the Rev. Robin Kapostasy officiating, and the Upper Sandusky Color Guard performing military graveside rites.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and can be sent to Lucas Batton, 476 S. Sandusky Avenue, Upper Sandusky, OH 43351.
Online condolences may be sent to www.lucasbatton.com.