Robert “Bob” Anthony Cusack

October 12, 1944 - April 5, 2024

Robert “Bob” Anthony Cusack, Alaska Master Guide, 55 year Lodge Owner and Outfitter, bush pilot, incomparable husband, father, and grandfather, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully surrounded by his loving family on April 5, 2024. Amidst the sorrow of this enormous loss, sharing memories of him and recalling his wild stories kept friends and family smiling, just as he did in life.

Bob was born October 12, 1944 in Peoria, Illinois. The 9th of 11 children to Dr. Patrick Cusack and Vera (Leary) Cusack, he kept his family on their toes. He dreamed of seeing the world and longed for adventure. He spent his early years needling his brothers, hunting with his dad, working and playing on the family farm, and cementing lifelong friendships.

He attended Loyola University Chicago. During college, he studied abroad in Rome, Italy and established his lifelong appreciation for pasta, inexpensive red wine, and great tenors.

After graduating college, he served in the Army National Guard and was stationed at Fort Richardson in Alaska. In Alaska, he found the best place to channel his energy, interests, and talents. He began teaching school in the village of Aniak while guiding hunts and learning to fly.

In 1972, when Bob was hired to take students from Alaska on an international travel program, he met the love of his life and future partner in everything: Lula (Meek), his assigned co-teacher from California. A complementary pair, his quick humor never failed to keep her laughing. Even when he tested her patience, his charm saved him: she always thought he was so cute and funny.

They returned to Alaska and started their fishing and hunting business, Alaska Peninsula Lodge, out of a converted fishing barge on the Alagnak River. It was the first operation of its kind in that location- maybe anywhere, as it was certainly unique and resourceful! His passion for flying, exploring, and taking risks, matched with his grit, diligence, and visionary spirit paid off. He is credited with pioneering the King Salmon fishing in the Alagnak and surrounding Bristol Bay area. Bob constantly sought out untouched fishing and hunting territories and made epic adventures accessible to guests from all over the world.

The business took off and expanded. Bob and Lula built a beautiful log lodge on Lake Iliamna and operated Cusack’s Alaska Lodge for the next 40 years. Many guides would return year after year to guide for Bob and Lula, becoming like family. Since his passing, former guides of all ages have reached out to convey the deep and defining impact Bob’s mentorship and friendship had on the trajectory of their lives. From his grandkids to the guys in hunting camp, he was always fun, always entertaining. He formed genuine connections across generations and lifestyles.

One of the first hunting guides to be licensed as a Master Guide in the State of Alaska, Bob garnered a strong track record and reputation over the years, becoming a world-renowned brown bear guide and outfitter.

But of all of his skills and talents, his first love was flying. He was an incredible, instinctive bush pilot with a phenomenal safety record. He was still guiding bear hunts and flying his SuperCub at 79 years old when he passed. He always said that he was going to guide and fly until he died, and he did.

He never thought twice about risking his own life to rescue others. While there are numerous accounts of him jumping in during emergencies to help and even save lives, they were later shared by survivors, never by Bob himself. Following one such event, he was awarded The State of Alaska Medal for Heroism and a Presidential Commendation for saving four passengers from a plane crash submerged upside down in Lake Iliamna.

Not all of Bob’s interests were inherently dangerous. He maintained a daily boxing regimen, always had a pot of something delicious to offer, was exceptional at keeping in touch (ie: on the phone a lot), played Dean Martin and the crooners on repeat, was an avid non-fiction reader, and, in recent years, enjoyed “friendly” competition at the local shooting range.

He was so talented at so many things, but, above all else, Bob was an exceptional father to his daughters, Nicole and Marisa. Starting in 1985, the family began splitting their time between Mercer Island, WA and Lake Iliamna, AK. In the summers, the family worked together at the Lodge. He effortlessly made time to merge family and work: flying, boating, fishing, and sharing a love of exploring Alaska with his girls. Fiercely protective, supportive, engaged, he enjoyed being a dad and being with his kids as much as possible. He valued education and work ethic, but instilled the importance of prioritizing family. Bob was boisterously proud of his daughters, their families, and their accomplishments. In later years, he was known for endearingly disseminating mass texts sharing their every achievement.

The rambunctious kid in him was brought out by his three adoring grandkids, who brought him tremendous joy. He made the simple things exciting for them and provoked their unbridled giggles. To name a few of many, they loved his stories, his dependable ice cream and rootbeer float stash, his garden planted just for them, and all the love, warmth, and fun he brought to life.

After 54 years together, Bob loved and appreciated his beautiful wife, Lula, more than ever. He often declared how proud he was of her and the life and family they built together.

He is survived by his wife, Lula (Meek) Cusack, and by their two daughters and three grandchildren, Nicole (Dr. Jonathan) Cusack-McNeil (Lachlan) and Marisa (Dr. Joel) Weber (Lennon and Esme). His siblings: Dolores Murphy (Cusack), Dr. James (Maureen) Cusack, Dr. Thomas (Dr. Sara) Cusack, Jack (Kathleen) Cusack, and Daniel Cusack survive. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Patrick and Vera Cusack; siblings Patrick Cusack, Gerald Cusack, and Dr. Michael Cusack. Siblings Dr. William Cusack and Suzanne Nelson-Helms (nee Cusack) postceded him in death in 2024. He also leaves behind many beloved nephews and nieces, extended family members, and dear friends.

His family appreciates the outpouring of love and support received over the past year.

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