Passing of An American Original: My Father
Richard E. COOK
NEWPORT NEWS – Mr. Richard Edward Cook, of Newport News, passed away at 4:40 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, at Riverside Hospital after a short illness. He was 86 years old.Mr. Cook was born on Jan. 7, 1924, in Oklahoma City, Okla. His mother was Carolyn Hill of Kingfisher, Okla., and his father was Frederick Cook of Tioga, Texas.
Mr. Cook grew up in the American West, spending much of his school years in Los Angeles, Seeley Lake and Missoula, Mont. During World War II, he served with the Seabees on Attu Island in the Aleutians and in San Francisco. Upon discharge, he was married in San Francisco to Marjorie Virginia Peilow of Missoula, Mont. They had four children.
Mr. Cook graduated from the University of Montana, in 1949, with a degree in chemistry. From 1950-1960, he worked as a lab chemist for the Dow Chemical Company, Saran Division, in Midland, Mich. He and the family relocated to Williamsburg, Va., in 1960, where he worked as a production superintendent for the Dow-Badische Corporation. After leaving there, he worked for Satterwhite Industries in Toano. He retired in 1986.
Mr. Cook was a self-possessed individual who touched many lives. He was an avid golfer, fisherman, gardener, reader, card player, letter writer, and sports fan. He particularly enjoyed literature on American and English history and the Old West. He enjoyed traveling to visit his children and grandchildren, and was a familiar figure on the Hampton Roads golf links well into his 70s.
Mr. Cook was preceded in death by his daughter, Barbara; and his second wife, Thelma.
He is survived by his former wife, Marjorie of Williamsburg; his longtime companion, Frances Hedin; his son, Richard Carlton Cook of Hyattsville, Md.; his daughters, Sandra Lee Hutton of Lanexa, Va., and Christine Anne Dunbar of Vienna, Va.; 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are with the Cremation Society of Virginia.
A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, March 20, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Williamsburg, where Mr. Cook was a member at the founding of the church in 1964. Following the service will be a reception for friends and family.
The family requests that any donations be made in Mr. Cook’s memory to the Intensive Care Unit at Riverside Hospital.
In January 1986 Cook became the first NASA official to testify publicly on the space agency's prior knowledge of flaws in the solid rocket booster O-ring joints that destroyed Challenger and took the lives of its seven astronauts. He told his story in the book Challenger Revealed, published in 2007. Publisher's Weekly wrote of the book: "Easily the most informative and important book on the disaster."
Hi Rick,
Regarding your father’s death, may the grief be purifying, may the memories be inspiring, and may the living family be strengthened by his life and death. May you and Karen be well during these changing times.
Warm Regards,
Pete
Comment by Pete Johnson Jr on February 11, 2010Richard,
Condolences and peace to you and your family.
Comment by cathy on February 11, 2010cathy
Message received from Omna Last:
Sorry to hear of your father’s death. He sounds like a fine man who will be much appreciated on the other side and who will enjoy life over there. Lucky man – to be free of this lunatic asylum.
Comment by rcook on February 11, 2010I guess he had not worked things out completely in this world & may have to return at some stage.
But, who knows – he may be karma-free and wise enough to continue the journey on other worlds and in other dimensions, without returning here.
.
Your dad sounds like a wonderful person. I am so very sorry. My thoughts are with you. Very best regards to you and Karen,
Comment by Kristen Reynolds on February 11, 2010Kristen
Dear Richard,
There is really only one thing we have to do in this life and that is to be separated from this physical-biological body otherwise known as death. I am sure he is happier now than he has ever been. Requiescat in pace.
All My Best,
Donna Gaddis
Comment by Donna Gaddis on February 11, 2010Sorry for your loss, Rick.
I’m sure you’ll agree, you are fortunate to be the son of such a wonderful man. Whether they know it or not, parents tend to heavily influence the personalities of their children. We can all thank God for yours.
Be good to yourself.
David Kendall
Comment by David Kendall on February 11, 2010Dear Richard,
Our heartfelt condolences to you and the entire family.
Binu Mathew
Comment by Countercurrents.org on February 12, 2010Editor
Countercurrents.org
Dear Richard,
You have my prayers over the
sudden loss of your father.
These can be the toughest losses
(no matter the age).
It appears that he lived life to
the full and that indeed you stood
on the shoulders of a – ’salt-of-the-
earth’ – giant.
May Jesus be great especially where
the loss is most felt. Holy Spirit,
‘comforter’ come!
Denis
Comment by Denis Bach on February 16, 2010