Obituary: Robin Cochran

Robin “Ragnar” Cochran moved on to be with his Lord in the tall timber May 7, 2019. He was 70 years old and was born on Aug. 16, 1948, to Ralph and Leon Cochran in Hood River, Ore. Robin spent his childhood roaming the deep woods of the Upper Hood River Valley. From a young age, his father, Ralph “Jack” Cochran, taught him the art of wilderness survival, nature observation, tracking, and the joy of the hunt. 

After dropping out of college, Robin took these skills and volunteered to go fight the war in Vietnam. He served in Alpha Company, 503 Airborne Infantry, 173rd Airborne, and spent over 320 days participating in horrific combat operations in the jungle. He discharged from the Army as a highly decorated combat veteran. After his deployment to Vietnam, Robin went back to his beloved Oregon woods and started his career as a professional timber faller. He cut timber in California, Oregon, Washington, and Southeast Alaska. Robin stated, “I cannot even explain the love I have for the woods. From the tiniest flowers to the mighty Douglas-fir, I just thank God every day I’m in their presence. I don’t think there’s a person on earth that really witnesses the beauty of the woods like the logger, especially the faller — I know I do. Logging is dangerous, but the woods are full of dangers for those with unopened eyes. I know if my time comes to meet my maker out there in those deep dark woods, I know I’ll be ready, because it is there that my heart is. Christ in Ye, the hope of glory.”