Bishop Robert Cochrane of Olympia remembered for evangelism, helping those in need
Episcopal News Service. May 11, 2010 [051110-02]
ENS staff
The Rt. Rev. Robert Hume Cochrane, sixth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, Washington, died early May 7 after a battle with cancer. He was 85.
Current Bishop of Olympia Gregory H. Rickel said Cochrane "had a profound impact on this diocese as well as the greater church. He will be deeply missed here, not only as a former bishop but, for me, as a wise and trusted mentor and colleague."
Cochrane, who said he "never expected to be in this position," was the only bishop in the history of the Diocese of Olympia to be chosen from among its own clergy. Early on, he identified evangelism and mission as priorities of his episcopate.
He will be remembered for his contributions to lay ministry, the connections he established with other denominations and his commitment to helping people in need, regardless of their religious affiliation, according to a diocesan press release. While bishop, he co-wrote the Episcopal Church canon authorizing lay Eucharistic ministers to take communion from the church to the sick and shut-in.
Under Cochrane's leadership, the Refugee Resettlement Ministry, an affiliate of Episcopal Migration Ministries, was created in the late 1970s as a response to an influx of refugees from Southeast Asia.
Cochrane and his friend Raymond Hunthausen, Roman Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Seattle, established a covenant between the Diocese of Olympia and the Archdiocese of Seattle in which the two churches agreed to work for unity, pray for one another and work together in Western Washington for social justice and the common good.
"We are the only dioceses on the West Coast which have entered into a covenant relationship to pray for one another, to work together in those areas where we can work together and I just rejoice in that," Cochrane reflected in 1985.
Throughout his tenure, Cochrane called attention to the needs of the hungry and victims of any catastrophe. According to the diocesan press release, Cochrane's episcopate also saw the adoption of the diocese's largest budget up to that point ($1,328,893 in 1980); the establishment of a diocesan Board of Directors and development fund campaign; a resolution asking for the release of American hostages in Iran; increased pensions for retired clergy and clergy widows; a change in the diocesan Constitution and Canons to include feminine as well as masculine references where appropriate; requirement of an independent CPA audit of all diocesan accounts; implementation of a diocesan clergy compensation program that established annual evaluation of salary ranges; and the creation of the archivist position.
Also known for his beautiful singing voice, Cochrane's love of music began as a child chorister in church and continued throughout his life. A member of the original Robert Shaw Chorale, Cochrane also was a member of the Episcopal Church's Standing Commission on Church Music, which produced the current Hymnal 1982.
While attending Brooklyn College in 1942, Cochrane entered the U.S. Army and served as a hospital medic in England and combat infantry medic in Germany. He attained the rank of sergeant and after World War II returned to the same college, where in 1947 he met Theresa (Terry) M. Tripi and later earned a B.A. in English and speech.
Cochrane and Tripi were married June 9, 1951, shortly after he earned an M.Div. from General Theological Seminary. General awarded Cochrane an honorary D.D. in 1976.
Cochrane was ordained to the diaconate March 31, 1951 and to the priesthood Nov. 3, 1951. He was consecrated the sixth Bishop of Olympia on Jan. 25, 1976, succeeding the Rt. Rev. Ivol Ira Curtis. Before serving as rector at Christ Church, Tacoma (1969-1976), Cochrane served congregations in Delano, Calif.; Reno, Henderson and Las Vegas, Nev.; and Salt Lake City, Utah.
Prior to becoming bishop, Cochrane served the Episcopal Church at the national, provincial and diocesan levels. He also served as chaplain to Episcopal students at Tacoma's Pacific Lutheran University and the Tacoma Police Department, and was president of the Family Counseling Service of Tacoma/Pierce County.
Following his 1990 retirement, he enjoyed gardening and traveling with his wife to visit their children and grandchildren; reading and studying current biblical scholarship; performing occasional Sunday supply and confirmation services at the request of the bishop; and serving as a board member for Episcopal Retirement Communities and Palestinian Concerns Group.
The oldest of three children of Raven and Williams Arthur Cochrane, Cochrane was born July 9, 1924 in Charleston, South Carolina, and raised in Brooklyn, New York.
He is survived by his wife, Terry; their sons, Michael (Maria) and Stephen; two grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
A service celebrating Cochrane's life and ministry is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday, May 29 at St. Mark's Cathedral in Seattle.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Diocese of Olympia, 1551 10th Ave. E, Seattle, WA 98102, to support mission work throughout Western Washington, or to the Virginia Mason Foundation, 1218 Terry Ave., PO Box 1930, Seattle, WA 98111-9866, for cancer research.