Eliot Cobb

Eliot Cobb was a thoughtful and quietly accomplished man whose life combined entrepreneurship, a love of the outdoors, and a fondness for animals. Best known professionally as one of the co‑founders of eBags, the online luggage and travel accessories retailer, Eliot helped build a business that became an early and influential presence in e‑commerce. The company’s success was widely reported in April 2017 when eBags was acquired, a milestone that came weeks before his death.

A native of the Pacific Northwest, Eliot chose the warmer climate of Oro Valley and Tucson later in life, moving to the region around 2008. Those who knew him described him as gentle, intelligent, and unassuming — someone who loved cycling, hiking, and the simple pleasures of life in the desert. Friends and family said he enjoyed the smaller, active‑lifestyle community Tucson offered, and that he took particular joy in being outdoors and following regional sports loyalties.

Animals were an important part of Eliot’s life. He fostered and adopted two Labrador retrievers, Shasta and Diesel, who were well cared for and beloved. Local rescue organizations later worked to place the dogs after his death, and his family encouraged donations to Labrador rescues in his memory rather than flowers — a gesture that reflected Eliot’s quiet compassion for animals.

Family remembered Eliot as the eldest of four brothers and as a loyal sibling and friend. In media interviews, his brother described him as a “silent leader” and emphasized his kind nature. After his move to Arizona, Eliot rooted himself in community life and the outdoor activities he cherished.

On April 14, 2017, Eliot’s life was tragically cut short in an act of public violence at a restaurant in the La Encantada shopping center in Tucson. The loss was felt deeply by his family, friends, and the local community. He was 65. He was laid to rest in Oregon, close to his family roots.

Though public records about his private life are limited, the verified details paint the picture of a man who lived modestly but with clear passions — entrepreneurship, the outdoors, and the companionship of his dogs. That combination of professional accomplishment and personal warmth is how many who knew him chose to remember him: a kind, outdoors‑oriented person who cared for animals and family and who quietly left his mark on the business world and those around him.