AUBURN, Wash. – Hundreds of people met Saturday to say good bye to a man who stood up for wildlife in Washington state.

State biologist Rocky Spencer was killed one week ago today after he stepped out of a helicopter and was hit in the head by the rotor blades.

Spencer dedicated his life to saving wildlife. Colleagues and friends packed the Wabash Church for a memorial. Their remarks ranged from the emotional, to the hilarious.

"Rocky Spencer would back you in any situation and any situation," said Bruce Richards, a colleague and friend.

"I think we need to chastise his supervisors for wasting the taxpayers' money. I think he would have worked for nothing," joked his brother, Scott Spencer.

Again, and again, Spencer's colleagues talked about his groundbreaking efforts to save cougars and bears as the ever expanding suburban sprawl moved into their habitat.

Part of that pioneering effort was finding nonlethal ways to deal with bears - training his Karelian Bear Dog named Mishka. Mishka is one of two now working for the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Biologist Rich Beausoleil will watch over Mishka for now.

"I mean, Rocky can't be replaced," Beausoleil said. "He never lost sight of involving the community and the kids in what we do."

AP

Rocky Spencer

And Rocky's outreach involving dogs extended to Montana and Carrie Hunt and the Wind River Bear Institute.

"Not only Washington, but with his work with Mishka, you can show the way you can do your work and it's making an impact all across the world," said Carrie Hunt.

Spencer is survived by three brothers and their families, and a long time girlfriend.