Robert L. Cook, 81, of Belleville, IL, born Wednesday, March 30, 1938, in East Saint Louis, IL, passed away Saturday, February 22, 2020, at his residence.
Bob worked as a teacher at East St. Louis Senior High School for thirty-three years and was a former member of the adjunct faculty of Southwestern Illinois College. He was a member of First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL,and a retired Lt. Colonel from the 131st Tactical Fighter Wing of Missouri Air National Guard for 27 1/2 years.
He was a member of Gothic Lodge #852 AF & AM, Scottish Rite Bodies, receiving Honorary Thirty-Third Degree on September 23, 1997, Presiding Officer of several appendant Bodies, Scottish Rite scholarship chairman for Southern Illinois, Charter Board member for Masonic Learning Center for Dyslexic Children, member of York Rite Bodies and Allied Masonic Degrees, Royal Order of Red Branch Erin, Ainad Shrine, Past President and former secretary of Ainad Shrine Hospital Unit, National SoJourners Heroes of ’76, and Southern Illinois Court 86 ROJ.
He was also a member of Culver-Stockton College Alumni Board, former board member of St. Clair County Teachers Credit Union (20 years), Life member of Elks Club, Bel-Clair Rotary Club and Paul Harris Fellow, Life member of the American Legion of Murphysboro, IL, and the Royal Order of Scotland.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Parents: Willard A. and Mae Louise, nee Eck, Cook
Surviving are his:
- Wife: Sharon, nee Cooper, Cook of Belleville, IL
- Sister: Patricia M. (Bill) Lanaghan of Metropolis, IL
- Nephews
- Jim (Holly) Lanaghan
- Joe (Lacy) Lanaghan
- Kevin (Bruna) Lanaghan
- Niece: Beth (Tom) Daniels
- Great nieces and nephews
Memorials may be made to any of the following:
- Shriners Hospital for Children
- Masonic Learning Center for Dyslexic Children
- Opal’s House
- The Robert and Sharon Cook Endowed Scholarship at Culver Stockton College, One College Hill, Canton, MO 63435
Visitation: Visitation from 4:00 pm to 8:00pm on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville. A Jester walk-through will be held at 7:13pm followed by the Masonic service at 7:30pm. Visitation will also be held on Thursday, February 27, 2020 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, February 27, 2020 at the First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL with Rev. Rob Dyer officiating. Entombment will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Fairview Heights, IL.
17 Comments To "Robert L. Cook"
#1 Comment By Mike Slape On February 23, 2020 @ 3:43 pm
Taught Civics at East Side, and was an incredible instructor! Wasn’t just rote recital of the Constitution and the roll of government, extended class discussion and vivid examples!
#2 Comment By Jerry Blanchard On February 23, 2020 @ 4:47 pm
Great teacher! RIP,thanks for your service.
#3 Comment By Ernest Jones Jr On February 23, 2020 @ 5:11 pm
Wow he was my home room teacher a good teacher my prayers go out to the family
#4 Comment By Howard Canada On February 23, 2020 @ 7:06 pm
One of the best teachers at East side and definitely a favorite among the students. The broader communities he served in all his endeavors are better places because if his work. God blessed us with his presence. May he be welcomed into heaven as the loyal and faithful servant he was.
#5 Comment By Kimberly Clifton Jones On February 23, 2020 @ 7:51 pm
One of my favorite teachers. I love history in part to his teaching. Class of 72.
#6 Comment By Bernice Williams On February 23, 2020 @ 11:10 pm
A Great teacher he will be missed!
#7 Comment By Marilyn Linton On February 24, 2020 @ 11:51 am
A good friend and such a great person, he will be missed.
#8 Comment By Suzanne and Jim On February 24, 2020 @ 7:20 pm
We had such fun living on Glenview Drive because of wonderful neighbors like Bob and Sharon. Thanks for great trivia times, progressive dinners and being such a great guy.
#9 Comment By Karen Phelps On February 24, 2020 @ 11:46 pm
He was my all time favorite teacher. A good man with a servant’s heart.
#10 Comment By Steve Pyle On February 25, 2020 @ 10:41 am
I got to know Bob through the Greek System at Culver-Stockton College around 1995-96. When Bob was a student he was a proud member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and was involved not only as an undergraduate, but as an alum. That group lost its charter in the mid-90’s and Bob lost an important affiliation. A couple of guys from a rival house saw him at a homecoming and knowing the circumstances invited him over for their alumni gathering. He appreciated that and through the years gave support to the Lambda Chis. We appreciated his friendship and just being a great guy. We older guys will miss him at college gatherings because there was always smile and a joke or wise crack that made you know he was there and he was with you. He was a fixture and now we must go on without him. May you always live on in our memories and thanks for being one of us.
Steve Pyle ’68
Lambda Chi Alpha
Culver-Stockton College
#11 Comment By Johnnave Jones Handley (nee Shore)) On February 25, 2020 @ 12:08 pm
Bob was my Class President in January l956. We saw each other throughout the years when working on our class reunions.
He was such of good person and always trying to get our class members out to the reunions. Our committee has shrunk due to deaths in recent years. He did say he would like to get together with who was left of the “committee” and visit. So, since early December we had two dinner socials that he truly enjoyed until it was not possible to do anymore. Sharon, thank you for all your help in getting Bob ready and to the restaurant. You were a wonderful and loving caregiver and wife.
#12 Comment By SIU-e Prof. Emerita Myrna Smith Schild On February 26, 2020 @ 3:29 pm
Bob was HODAR (Husband of Daughters of American Revolution) through his wife, Sharon, and he gave presentations to the group in his areas of expertise. We appreciate his willingness to contribute and thought of him fondly. We extend our sympathy to his family.
#13 Comment By Wylie Merrill On February 27, 2020 @ 7:57 am
A good man.
#14 Comment By Bernie Paul On February 27, 2020 @ 10:46 am
Sharon,
My deepest sympathies on the loss of Bob. He was such a fine man and a good guy. We spent many summers together up at Volk, and there are lots of great memories to keep. May God bless and keep you in these dark hours.
#15 Comment By Corliss E Harlen On March 1, 2020 @ 7:33 am
Bob Cook had a wealth of knowledge and was always very kind he even informed me about my namesake Corliss Archer
#16 Comment By rhoda On March 2, 2020 @ 11:20 am
Thank you Mr. Cook. You made my years at East Side more entertaining, educational, and interesting. Sometimes when I was in the middle of a difficult class I would flash back to his class and try imagine how Bob (we loved to call him Bob in private) would have handled this situation. He was great at class organization and control (as I remember).
#17 Comment By Jean Van Hoose On March 26, 2020 @ 6:09 am
What a wonderful educator and human being. I had no idea he passed. Probably because I was consumed with the loss & shock of the loss of my son days before. My thoughts & prayers to the family.