Local veterans' activist dies

Phil Chlopek, a long-time Sisters resident and veterans' affairs activist, died Thursday, May 9, of an apparent heart attack. He was 74.

Chlopek was well-known in the Sisters community for his efforts to recognize armed services veterans. He was active in the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, combining their organizational efforts into the Sisters Veterans' Group.

"He really kept the local Legion and VFW organizations together," said friend and fellow veteran Jack Berry.

Chlopek launched and managed the Sisters Veterans' Group's Firewood Program, which provides fuel for needy folks in the Sisters community.

Berry recalled that Chlopek pushed him to salvage timber burned in a wildfire on Berry's property at Sno Cap Vista.

"Because of his cajoling and his needling, we ended up with 20-25 cords for the wood program," Berry said.

Chlopek served in the Navy, as a police officer and was noted as a firearms instructor (see obituary, page 14).