On January 17, 2010 the conservation community lost David S. Pitkin and V. Ray Bentley, two men who were dedicated and passionate about preserving and understanding the natural world. This has been a tremendous loss and one will affect many for years to come. Dave and Ray had been conducting a mid-winter count of migratory geese and ducks for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service off the Oregon Coast when on their return to the Corvallis airport, their small plane crashed just west of the town of Philomath, Oregon.

Both men's lives were characterized by devotion to the fish and wildlife mission and love of nature, on the job and in their personal lives. Please visit our tribute to Dave and Ray.

If you are interested in making a memorial gift in honor of Dave, his family and loved ones have established a memorial fund at the West Coast Bank. Contributions can be made at any branch (make checks payable to The David Pitkin Memorial Fund) or via mail to West Coast Bancorp, 5335 Meadows Rd., Suite 201, Lake Oswego, OR 97035.

If you are interested in making a memorial gift in honor of Ray, his family and loved ones have requested that donations be provided to the Benton County Search and Rescue. Make checks payable to the Benton County Search and Rescue and mail them to 180 NW 5th Street, Corvallis, OR 97330. Please mention in your correspondence that the donation memorializes Ray Bentley.