Editor,

I’d like to take a moment to thank our Island County Coroner Robert Bishop for all he does for our community. After the sudden loss of our Deputy Coroner Susan Higman in October, he has been left as the only person in the department.

Every suicide, homicide or other tragic death, Robert responds. Every time unidentified remains are found or unearthed, Robert responds no matter the time or day.

He has been on call 24 hours a day seven days a week, doing everything himself. Despite running on little sleep and seeing some of the worst scenarios one can imagine, he is still able to treat every family he comes across with compassion, professionalism and respect.

Robert Bishop has what I believe to be one of the most thankless jobs in our community. Yet what he does for us on a daily basis is of paramount importance. Informing a family that their loved one has passed or working tirelessly to answer the hard questions of how someone died cannot be easy work. I, for one, am thankful we have someone so dedicated performing it.

Bryan Stucky

Wallin Funeral Home