Robert Dale Kopitke

Friday, August 20, 2021, Robert “Bob” Kopitke, surrounded by family, peacefully left this earth to rejoin his Heavenly Father. Bob/Dad/Papa was a dedicated Christian, husband, father, businessman, mentor and friend. His wisdom, wit, knowledge and love for life deeply impacted many lives.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 21, 1941, Bob later graduated from York High School in 1959. He attended Southern Illinois University and acquired degrees in Economics and Philosophy. As a member of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity, he served as House Manager, then President and represented his fraternity at their National Convention. Immediately following college, Bob’s professional foundation was shaped by his experience working for the IBM Corporation and at Data Documents Inc., a Warren Buffet company. In 1975, the young Kopitke family relocated to Dallas, Texas, where Bob founded Origami, Inc., a paper distribution company. Over twelve years, he expanded its regional offices to 25 cities across the country. After selling Origami, Bob found joy as an Executive Consultant, helping owners of small and medium-sized companies with their growth strategies. Bob ultimately became partial owner in those companies he consulted, evolving to be a trusted partner in each enterprise. He retired from business in 2018.

During his time with IBM, he met Suzanne “Susi” LaGree. After a six month courtship, they wed July 23, 1966, in St. Louis, Missouri. Married for 55 years, they raised three children and now have six grandchildren. In 1977, they found their spiritual home at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Bob volunteered in many ministries, such as Evangelism, Human Concerns and Education. As Chairman of the Education Committee, in 1980 Bob helped found Prince of Peace Christian School, which now instructs Pre-School through 12th grade. In addition, he served as part of the elder ministry, ultimately as Chairman, and counseled on the Advisory committee to the Senior Pastor.

Bob loved family vacations, driving cross-country to enjoy mountains, fishing, hunting and the stops along the way. As an epicurean, he relished perfecting recipes, grilling or finding the new ‘it’ restaurant. His passion for music, filled his home, car, and life moments with a range of selections from Puccini to Blues Brothers. His thirst for knowledge was insatiable, daily reading multiple books, publications, newspapers and the Bible. Bob was an enthusiastic patron of his Texas sports teams, especially the Rangers.

Bob leaves behind his wife, Susi; his daughter Laura Orsak, (Todd) and their children, Alexis “Lexi”, Lake and Aubrey of Carrollton, Texas; daughter Elizabeth Cruz, (Jason) and their son Cashel of New York, New York; son William “Bill” Kopitke and his sons Coleton and Cade of Bellevue, Washington. Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Estelle Kopitke, brother Arthur James Kopitke, and nephew James Robert Kopitke.

The viewing will be on Friday, August 27th, from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. at Sparkman-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W. Northwest Hwy., Dallas, TX, 75225. The funeral service celebrating the life of Bob will be held on Saturday, August 28, at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 4000 Midway Road, Carrollton, TX, 75007. The burial will follow the service and be at Sparkman-Hillcrest Cemetery. Pastor Micah Miller and Pastor Steve Wagner will be officiating.

Condolences can be shared with flowers sent to Sparkman-Hillcrest Funeral Home (simplyblessedflowers.com) or by donation to The Navigators (donations.navigators.org) under the option “Give Where Needed Most”.