Bob Sallinger

Oregon’s environmental community has suffered a grievous loss with the passing of Bob Sallinger.

Read the November 10 Column by Steve Duin “Farewell to Portland’s force of nature“

Read about Bob in the Willamette Week article by Nigel Jaquiss.

and in The Oregonian/OregonLive by Fedor Zarkhin and Tyler Brown.

Note that among the many tasks Bob took on, he served on the Portland Habor Community Advisory Committee and was a key player in development of the Portland Harbor Superfund cleanup plan.

Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement on the passing of environmental champion Bob Sallinger:

“The passing of Bob Sallinger is a loss beyond measure for his family and loved ones, and for the conservation communities in Portland and across Oregon that he passionately worked with for decades.

“Bob was a trusted voice, advising me on ways to safeguard the state’s natural wonders and wildlife and fighting against climate chaos. From his visionary work with the Bird Alliance of Oregon—transforming landscapes and protecting animals, such as the Peregrine Falcon—to restoring our iconic waterways and forests, Bob had his hand in countless efforts to preserve the wilds of the Pacific Northwest.

“His environmental wins, achieved through tireless hard work, grit, collaboration, and compromise personified the Oregon Way. Bob may be gone, but he leaves behind an enduring legacy that is seen and felt in the lands, waters, and wildlife that he strengthened. His legacy is also carried in the spirit of future generations of conservationists who will use Bob’s collaborative work as a blueprint to truly appreciate and care for the natural treasures in our own backyards.

“My heavy heart is with Bob’s wife Elisabeth and their three children, as well as the many Oregonians who were proud to call him a mentor and friend.”

Bob was a natural fighter for the most vulnerable, our ecology- the crows, peregrine falcons, salmon and so many living creatures near to Portland and far away. Bob’s ability to raise consciousness of everyday people, governments, businesses and his close friends has changed our world. An irreplaceable hero for the PNW. We have been blessed to have such a lover and fighter for the natural lands and independent wild places.

—Michael Pouncil, PHCAG Executive Director

Bob Sallinger.

You were always one of the best warriors for our planet. Reminding us to include habitat in everything we did… but your love for your wife and kids is what shines even brighter. I loved how deeply you loved  them.Sitting on a panel or committee or meeting without you feels impossible today. I’m sorry but l’m also angry at all the road blocks people threw in your path year after year. They knew he was right but just kept on fighting him.

His family and the world needed him. Was a place for salmon and birds too much to ask. Millions of dollars spent fighting a man who was trying to protect wildlife and in that trying to protect us all.

—Sarah Taylor, PHCAG Communications and Historian

Bob Sallinger passed away he was a legendary environment activist and a close friend to people on the board. Everyone is grieving.

—Casimira Tadewaldt, PHCAG Board Member

In a world where environmental advocates contribute when they can, Bob Sallinger was our institutional memory. His advice will be deeply missed.

—Doug Larson, PHCAG Treasurer

I once asked Bob how he could bear to talk to officials who don’t listen, and he said that it was fun. In fact, when he lobbied legislators in Salem, people would look at him and run the other way and once, with an injured leg, he chased them waving his crutches.

Bob was everywhere at once – always showing up to do the hard work which he loved so dearly. He was a fierce advocate for all living creatures and mentor and friend to so many of us. I don’t know what we will do when we can’t call, text or email Bob to ask him what we should do next. I do know that his fight for our rivers, wetlands and forests will empower us for decades.

—Jan Zuckerman, PHCAG Board Member

Bob Sallinger was an inspiration for all who are dedicated to healing and regrowing our natural environment. He persevered in critical roles for decades, and while he will be deeply missed by so many, the impacts of his work will live on in memory and the ecology around us.

—Clancy Terry, PHCAG Board Member

Cassie Cohen Director of Portland Harbor Community Coalition says, “Bob Sallinger was a wise mentor, with deep knowledge and understanding of injustices. His contribution to the conservation and environmental justice movements were vast with his gentle yet powerful demeanor. He masterfully demanded transparency, accountability of agencies and industries to honor the basic needs for all living beings, including the river. He manifested transformative justice for all to benefit from preservation, restoration of natural landscapes, and remediation of toxic sediments. He was a steadfast supporter of PHCC, during his time as Conservation Director at Audubon Society and continued in his role as Executive Director at Willamette Riverkeeper. He will be gravely missed.”

“Working with Bob Sallinger on projects like the Portland Harbor cleanup, the West Hayden Island annexation, and other environmental issues was a privilege and an inspiration. Bob’s extraordinary talent, intelligence, and ability to communicate complex issues made him a powerful voice for the environment. His passing is a profound loss — a setback that reminds us of the immense impact one dedicated person can have. Bob will be tremendously missed, but his legacy will continue to guide us.”

– Rose Longoria, Yakama Nation Fisheries Regional Superfund Manager

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“Bob was a treasure that fought with tenacity and compassion for the waters, rivers, animals, plants, and communities of the northwest. But in addition to his monumental record of direct advocacy, he was also an inspiration to me personally. Bob’s clarity of vision and his ability to channel that vision into progress against the headwinds of entrenched opposition opened my eyes to the power of purpose and dedication to something greater than oneself. He will be greatly missed.”

– Alex Lopez, Portland Harbor Community Coalition Board member

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“Bob was an incredible, brilliant human being. He was one of the most amazing allies to the EJ community for decades. He was the Bird lover of all time. Rest in power my friend.”

– Jeri Jimenez, (Klamath) Portland Harbor Community Coalition Board member

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“I didn’t know him too well but from the time I spent with him in organizing spaces he was a vital leader in the environmental community and had a wealth of knowledge that was integral to protecting and advancing environmental wins for our movement.”

– Samantha Hernandez, Portland Harbor Community Coalition Board member

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“I remember him being one of the most passionate and driven people who was so down to earth and willing to support. So genuine with such a good heart.”

– Sterling Stokes, former PHCC Campaign Manager

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“Bob was a tireless champion among many issues, but for which I had the pleasure to best know him, he was a champion for a thoughtful and timely clean up of the Portland Harbor Superfund. I will miss his humor and his impatience for inaction.”

– Ranfis Villatoro, Blue Green Alliance

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“I admired and appreciated Bob’s tenacity in speaking on behalf of the wildlife.”

– Jim Robison, Former Portland Harbor Community Advisory Group Chair

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“Bob Sallinger is an irreplaceable hero for the Portland and PNW’s most vulnerable. We have been blessed to have such a lover and fighter for natural lands and independent wild places.”

– Michael Pouncil, Executive Director of Portland Harbor Community Advisory Group

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“It was an honor to work beside Bob. He was a fearless leader, a generous mentor, a true comrade, and a friend. His experience and intimate knowledge of our region was legendary. His compassion — for others he met on this journey and for all living beings— is what I will remember most. He used to say of the Portland He will be gravely missed. , “When we hardened the river, we hardened our hearts.” He dedicated himself to repairing this relationship—to softening embankments and making space for wildness and healing to return to the river, to our communities, and to our hearts. He will be deeply missed.”

– Elijah Cetas, former PHCC Staff