Jerod Rothwell Sapp

Jerod Rothwell Sapp, beloved husband, brother, son, and friend, passed away unexpectedly at home in Corvallis, Oregon on July 27, 2025. Jerod was 54 years old, having been born on April 8, 1971 in Heidelberg, Germany. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Katherine Scollan; his mother, Virginia Sapp; his father, William Sapp; his sister, Dr. Amanda Sapp (Doug DeGross); his half-brother, Adam Sapp (Lindsey); extended family; and his dogs, Bash and Toby. Jerod grew up in St. Louis and graduated from the University of Missouri, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree. In St. Louis and Columbia, he shared amazing times with family and friends over pizza from Shakespeare's and Imo's and became a lifelong St. Louis Blues fan. Jerod made his way west and earned his Master's degree in Zoology from Oregon State University. He trekked across the state of Oregon with a headlamp and an exceptional scientific curiosity to write his thesis on courtship behaviors in the salamander genus Aneides. On the Oregon coast, Jerod found his dream job as the lab manager of an intertidal research lab at Oregon State University within the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO). He loved leading his team (that he playfully named the Lunatics) in navigating the intertidal zone to collect samples by moonlight. Throughout the years he mentored countless students and young scientists in both research skills and how to live life to the fullest. He was truly a renaissance man with an inquisitive mind, always learning and sharing knowledge. He felt most at home in nature, adventuring in his beloved VW Westfalia van to go fishing, crabbing, or bird watching throughout the Pacific Northwest. Jerod loved to cook, especially smoked meats, as well as making pinot noir. Sharing food and wine was one of his favorite ways to show his love. Anyone looking for him from October through June could find him watching hockey, either at home, Squirrel's tavern, or rink-side at a Vancouver Canucks game. Jerod loved to travel and experience new cultures, food, and landscapes. He traveled to Machu Picchu, throughout Europe, the Galapagos, and Alaska, and his t-shirt collection was an atlas of the amazing adventures he had across the globe. You could always know where Jerod had been by his favorite calling card of mischievously placed googly-eyes. Jerod will be remembered for loving fiercely, caring deeply, and being the first to give you the shirt off his back (quite literally). Everywhere Jerod lived, worked, and traveled he cultivated lifelong friendships. He loved animals, especially his gentle giant English Mastiffs, providing a loving home for several during his life. Jerod expressed his emotions through songs that he loved, and many of us remembering and honoring him will do so with a specific shared song in mind. Jerod's goal in life was always to help others, and he succeeded at that every day. A celebration of life will take place during the weekend of October 10-12, 2025 in Corvallis, OR, with more information to follow. Those wishing to honor Jerod are invited to make a donation to either of the following causes that were close to his heart. Mastiff Rescue Oregon: https://www.mastiffrescueoregon.org/info/donate Audubon Society of Corvallis: https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=QAYQTDE5GTbB58eQSmxo17Ye1yhIleA5um2VwxYGEaCPUqHpKVN9tetU0gCVUn00oau7CqWPMQkmmwU5