George Adolph Schoppert
- - George Adolph Schoppert was born 3/24/24, in Bridge, Oregon to George and Rose Schoppert. He passed away after a brief illness on May 2, 2018.
He was a lifelong resident of Oregon, growing up in the Sheridan Willamina area and living for many years in the Salem and Stayton areas. He attended a one room school up Gooseneck Creek until 8th grade and graduated from Willamina High School in 1942.
After High school he served 3 years in the Army during WWII stationed in England preparing for the invasion of Europe. He was sent to Normandy Beach on D-Day, loading and unloading ammunition for the troops. He was injured in Antwerp Belgium in the explosion of a theater, earning a purple heart.
After the war, he attended Oregon State University, earning his BS in Forest Engineering. It was while he was at Oregon State that he met the love of his life, Harriet McBee. They were married September 7, 1946, raising 4 children and enjoying many amazing adventures together for almost 72 wonderful years.
He worked his entire career in forestry, first falling and bucking timber in Oregon and Alaska and then working for the State Forestry Department, most of that time in the Detroit district, retiring after 32 years.
He loved gardening. Known for his "green thumb" he could grow most anything and rescued many a plant from near death. His love of plants extended to wildflowers and one of his special joys was finding and photographing wildflowers all over the world. He was a member of the Native Plant Society and loved to hunt for the elusive rare wildflower.
The family spent many weekends and vacations hiking, backpacking and camping all over Oregon and the Northwest. After the kids were grown, George and Harriet hiked and backpacked the back country and wilderness any time they could. They spent many a vacation traveling all over the U.S. in their trusty 5th wheel trailer, coming home with tales of wild adventures and lots of photographs.
George learned to hunt at a very young age, becoming an excellent marksman and Elk hunting trips were the highlight of the fall. His expertise consistently put meat on the table.
The family was a member of the YMCA in Salem for many years, years spent chauffeuring kids to and helping with swimming meets all over the Northwest, playing volleyball and volunteering and participating in the Y's Men organization, even earning the Family of the Year one year.
George was preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Turnow and Evelyn Hadden. He is survived by his wife Harriet, sister Nancy Canby of Salem, daughters Sue Jakabosky (Tom Scott) of Eugene, Barbara Langton (Ted) of Corvallis, and Judy Yarnell (Glenn) of Scio and a son Bill Schoppert of Homer Alaska. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and their spouses, 14 great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends from all over the world.
There will be a Celebration of Life on June 3rd at 1:00 at Camp Taloli Hwy 22, Stayton Oregon.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Statesman Journal.
4 Entries
We miss you George...Elk camp will always be a time of remembering you.
Mike & Jackie Templeton
Friend
May 10, 2021
I will be attending Sunday. George was my first boss at the State Forestry office in Mehama. His smile and good humor made for a very pleasant office, where all staff got along.
Linda Dunn
May 29, 2018
There will never be another George.
Mike and Jackie Templeton
May 19, 2018
I'm sorry that I will not be able to attend George's memorial service. My wife need needs constant care and I have a few issues of my own.
I will always remember George's positive attitude and his always present smile.
I admired his photography and the many trips that he and Harriat were able to take.
My thoughts and prayers are with Harriat and the family.
Darrel Spiesschaert
Darrel Spiesschaert
May 19, 2018
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