Bob, Ramrod, Dad, Daddy, Poppa, Sr., Grandpa, Grandpa KeeKee, Uncle Bob. He was loved by so many. If you knew him you know how much he loved life — a smile for everyone and a joke, always a joke. “Don’t take life so seriously, you won’t get out of it alive anyway” was his motto.

Bob was born in Peoria, Oklahoma to Maggie and Samuel McCutchen into a large family of 13 siblings. He joked that Ma’s kids and Pa’s kids fought with their kids. His family moved to Oregon in 1934. He tells of attending high school three weeks, going in one door and out the other. In 1944 at the young age of 17 he joined the Navy, spending his service on a Destroyer Escort in the Pacific Theater. He was very proud of his service, and was especially honored when he went to Washington, DC as part of the Honor Flight in 2011. He was past Commander of American Legion Post of Rio Dell, a 51-year member.

Bob met Catherine Derrick in 1947 and were married October 2, 1948. After the war, jobs were scarce. He and Katie packed up two children, hitched the mobile trailer to the car and moved to Humboldt County from Salem, Ore. In 1953 PALCO got so tired of him knocking on their door at 7 a.m. every morning, they finally hired him! That was the beginning of a life-long career, becoming a foreman in 1964, retiring in 1992 as foreman of Mill B, the old growth sawmill in Scotia. He remained a loyal PALCO employee even in retirement. In retirement he and Katie spent many years traveling throughout the United States, including numerous annual reunions with his old Navy buddies. One of his proudest accomplishments was building the cabin at Ruth Lake with his son, Bob Jr. Many stories and tales were spun there, along with the fishing, hunting trips and family gatherings. Hunting with the crew at Rainbow was among his favorite memories. He enjoyed his woodworking (you probably have a piece or two). He always had a wooden toy to hand out to children he would meet. His love of family gatherings, from the family reunions in Salem to the small Sunday night dinners brightened his day.

Bob was predeceased by his wife Catherine in 2006, his grandson Derrick in 1985, his parents and all but one of his siblings. He is survived by his sister Wynonna Bilinski, his children – Robert McCutchen, Jr (Vicki); Judi Ferreira (Louis) and their children, Tina, Brian, Eric and Darin; Russell McCutchen (Linda) and their children Jenny, Katy, Wesley, Russell, Tasha; Larry McCutchen (Janeth) and their children Cassie and Jay, twenty-two great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, his extended family at L’s Kitchen and Journey’s End.

Dad’s passing leaves a hole in our heart, but we have many memories of happy times we will treasure always. Fish on Dad, fish on.

Funeral arrangements by Goble’s Mortuary, private services were held. If you would like to make a memorial contribution, please donate to:

Hospice of Humboldt
3327 Timber Fall Court
Eureka, CA 95501 

Mad River Community Veterans Honor Guard
PO Box 152
Bayside, CA 95524

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Bob McCutchen’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.