Robert Louis “Bob” Scott

July 19, 1936 – Feb. 11, 2019

Robert Louis “Bob” Scott, 82, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019 at home in Kenai, Alaska.

As Bob wishes, no memorial service will be held. He never cared to be the center of attention. Bob’s ashes will be spread later this year in Sea Otter Sound where he grew up along with his brothers.

Bob was born in Ketchikan, Alaska on July 19, 1936 to Louis G. and Lyda (Smith) Scott. Bob was raised on El Capitan Island north of Ketchikan on a family-owned island. From an early age, he helped on the family fox and mink farm, El Capitan Fur Farm. When fox and mink farms were no longer profitable, his father converted the farm into a fish cold storage, naming the business Tokeen — Ice and Cold Storage. This is where Bob started his lifelong fishing career.

Bob’s school days were spent working and being homeschooled. He and his brother Tom were the only kids on the island at the time. When Bob became the age for high school, he was sent to family friends in Grants Pass, Oregon and finished graduating from high school in Burlington, Washington.

After high school, he returned to Southeast Alaska, working in the fishing and lodging communities, and, during the off-season, driving trucks in Washington and Canada. In the late ’60s, Bob took a job as manager of Pelican Cold Storage. He loved Pelican and the lifelong friends that he made there. Bob moved from Pelican to Anchorage as plant manager for Whitney Fidalgo Seafood’s in the early ’70s. His time with Whitney took him to fishing communities throughout Alaska. He loved the time spent in those old cargo airplanes and made lifelong friends wherever he traveled.

In the early ’80s Bob was asked to come down to Kenai and take over management of Salamatof Seafoods, one of the fish processing plants that had gone into bankruptcy during this time. He signed a two-year contract. He had so much fun working with creditors, fishermen and politicians that at the end of his contract he made and implemented a plan to purchase as much stock as he could to become a major stockholder. Salamatof Seafoods was the only fish processing plant that went into bankruptcy to come out and be profitable. In 2012, he retired and Salamatof was sold to Pacific Star Seafoods.

In retirement, Bob enjoyed helping friends with special projects, breakfasting with friends and giving orders to Kelly as he built their house, especially the electrical and heating phases.

Bob was a life member of Pioneers of Alaska Men’s Igloo No. 33 of Kenai, Alaska and the Kenai Elks Lodge No. 2425. He was a past board member of C-Fab and YRC and had served on a committee or two with the City of Kenai. Bob did not believe in hobbies. He devoted his time to work, family and friends. His family thinks his hobby was “staying on top of and implementing the technological advances in the fish industry, mentoring the next generation of fish processors and not to forget his love of strong-minded dogs.”

Gail Phillips, a close friend, summed Bob up so well by saying “Bob Scott was a person who valued friendships above all else, not only in his Southeast Alaska communities, but throughout the State of Alaska, the Lower 48 and in many foreign countries. Friendships with Bob lasted a lifetime. In all his relationships — whether in business or personal — Bob’s word was his bond and one never had to doubt that he would be true to his word. Bob loved all things Alaskan — not only the fishing industry, but the development, politics and progress of Alaska as we grew into statehood.”

Bob did not have an address book. He had a very elaborate phonebook he always carried, and kept in touch and cared for all his friends and family — especially his brother Tom who, no matter how busy, was talked to several times a week.

Memorial donations may be made to Nikiski Neighbors, PO Box 8122, Nikiski, AK 99635. Or, remember Bob when you take a friend to lunch at Louie’s.