Robert Ronald Paulsen, age 78, a longtime resident of Ocean Shores, died on Feb. 2, 2023, at his home in Ocean Shores. He was born on June 15, 1944, in Aberdeen to Clarence M. and Eileen T. (Foulds) Paulsen.

He graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1962. He then served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1962 – 1966 in Astoria, Oregon aboard the CG Cutter, Yocona and at Coast guard Station Westport as Petty Officer 2nd Class Yeoman.

Robert married Betty Casey of Westport on July 8, 1965, at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Westport. Betty and Bob were best friends for 59 years and enjoyed living, working and playing together all those years. They enjoyed working in their yard at Ocean Shores, traveling, friends and family. They watched many sunrises from their sunroom at their Ocean Shores home.

Bob worked for the State of Washington for 30 years; Washington Department of Game, Wildlife and Fish and Wildlife. He started as a fish culturist in the hatchery in Western Washington working in the Olympia office. He was a longtime manager of Aberdeen Hatchery for 24 years. While at Aberdeen, he started on of the first net pens culture operations in Lake Aberdeen using net pens from Norway. He also introduced the first summer run steelhead into the Wynoochee and Humptulips rivers. In addition, he started native enhancement Winter Run Steelhead programs on the Sol Duc, Humptulips, Wynoochee and Satsop rivers.

During the merger of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in 1994, he was instrumental in helping merge the hatchery division. The director stated that Bob was the glue that held the merger together. In 1990, he was awarded the Department of Wildlife employee of the year for his work in the fisheries enhancement and work ethics. He also received many awards for fishery programs from local sportsman organizations.

He retired at age 52 from the State of Washington and went to work as an investment advisor for AIG Valic. He and his wife Betty worked for many years together in their business helping people plan for their retirements. He was the top salesperson in a six-state area for sales one year.

Bob was an extreme outdoor enthusiast. He loved hunting and fishing, having done so in Alaska, B.C., Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Africa and New Zealand. He had hiked most of the trails in Olympic National Park with his father and had run several marathons. He climbed the major peaks in Washington and Oregon and climbed Mt. Denali in Alaska. He enjoyed clam digging, crab fishing and shrimp fishing. He ran a trapline for beaver, otter and bobcat, and his wife Betty has several fur coats he had made for her from some of his catch.

He had been a member of Trout Unlimited, Washington Trappers Association, Aberdeen Lions (Past President), Hoquiam Elks, Ocean Shores Kiwanis and Grays Harbor Bowmen. He was a Washington State University Master Gardener and a member of the Grays Harbor chapter. He enjoyed working and designing their garden home and it was on the garden tour. He loved to grow dahlias.

He was an active member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Aberdeen and served as Senior Warden and Junior Warden. He had also received the St. Andrew’s Cross.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Betty (Casey) Paulsen of Ocean Shores; a daughter and her husband, Lorene and Michael Roth of Kuna, Idaho; a grandson and his wife, Andrew Robert and Elizabeth Roth of Poulsbo; a granddaughter and her husband, Casey and Joshua Sindorf of Boise; great-grandchildren, Ashlyn and Brooks Sindorf, both of Boise; a sister and her husband, Peggy and John Tonan of Port Townsend and a brother, Larry Paulsen of Ocean Shores.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church with the Rev. Donald Maddux officiating.

Arrangements are by the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam.

Please take a few moments of reflection to record your thoughts for the family by signing the on-line register at: www.colemanmortuary.net.