Note: This update clarifies the memorial service date as Saturday, September 25th. An earlier version of this story incorrectly referenced July 25th. KLCC regrets the error.
The chief of the Coquille Indian Tribe has died. Don Ivy had been battling cancer for the past seven months before passing away at the age of 70 Monday night.
Among those mourning Ivy’s death is Bob Zybach, who has a PhD in Environmental Sciences from Oregon State University. He told KLCC Ivy was a tribal scholar and the two had worked on a trails project.
“I’ve known Don for about 30 years, and yes, we did put out the Coquille trails report hoping to get it into local schools at some point," said Zybach.
"Don was just a really good guy and a great tribal leader. He loved to fish, we worked mostly on historical materials related to Coquille Tribe and think his legacy will be the tribe’s history and his efforts to assemble that.”
Coquille tribal chair Brenda Meade called Ivy a “consistent source of wisdom and kindness” for his people.
Ivy served as chief of the Coquille since 2014. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, September 25th at the Mill Casino-Hotel in North Bend.
A special election will be held to choose his successor.
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