Obituary of Robert A. Cook

SLINGERLANDS - Robert A. Cook, 94, died peacefuly and with his wife, Susan Y. Cook, at his side, on December 9, 2020 at Albany Medical Center from complications of COVID 19. He was the son of the late Kenneth and Harriet (Coughtry) Cook. Bob was born, raised and spent most of his life on the beloved family farm on Font Grove Road. He joined the Navy and attended Middlebury College with hopes of becoming a pilot, but then transferred to and graduated from RPI once the pilot training program was discontinued. Professionally Bob worked as an engineer for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation where he could study, repair and plan for the future of New York’s varied and treasured waterways. This lifetime fascination and dedication was shared with his children and extended family at Font Grove where a pond Bob built became the source of summertime fun for generations. As an adult it was the Hudson River - from its source in Newcomb, N.Y to its magnificence alongside of Manhattan - that intrigued him most. Robert is survived by his wife of 47 years, Susan Yager Cook, daughters Christine and Leslie (Robert Westphal) and a son, Stephen (Christine Marmo), grandchildren Elisabeth Johnson (Daniel) and Roberta Sutton (Chris Kelly) and great-grandchildren Franny, Finbar and Jem. Bob loved his family and his farm, but in later life and with his wife, Susan by his side he took up song-writing, tap dancing, sailing and bike riding – especially in midtown Manhattan on Sunday mornings. Bob’s family would like to sincerely thank Seeta, Sue, Sunny and Colleen for their help at home and the entire staff of M4 at Albany Medical Center for their care during the most difficult of times. There will be a celebration of Bob’s life at a future time. Contributions in memory of Bob may be made to the Robert A. and Susan Y. Cook Fund c/o The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, 2 Tower Place, Albany, NY 12203.