Robert James Cook

Robert James Cook was born in Chelan County near Manson, Washington. When he was two, his family moved to Brewster. He loved watching his dad work on engines and care for his apple orchard. During his school days he competed in basketball and baseball and enjoyed math classes and making friends. Early his junior year he met Marilyn Lowry, who shared her love of the Lord with him. He was baptized not long after. They dated until he graduated from Brewster High School in 1952 and left for Whitworth College.

After a year he joined the Army, marrying Marilyn in January, 1954, just after basic training, and completed his service at Fort Hood, Texas in September, 1955. He returned to Brewster just after his daughter, Laura, who decided to come early, was born, then moved the family to Ellensburg, where he worked as a box boy at Safeway while finishing his business degree. In 1957 they welcomed a son, David. He began his banking career at the National Bank of Commerce in 1958, working briefly in the Seattle area, then returned to Brewster, where he and Marilyn delighted in the arrival of a daughter, Kerri, in 1959.

Bob’s banking career spanned more than 30 years and positions from small town teller to manager of the Medical Lake branch to assistant vice president for commercial loans at a major west side branch as the bank itself went through changes to emerge as Rainier Bank. He was known for making loans based on the character of the borrower rather than an algorithm designed by the bank.

Bob loved automobiles, maintaining each of his with care and appreciating the beauty and engineering of others. When he and Marilyn lived in Texas the only place they could find water to wash their car was in a shallow creek not far from the army base.

Bob taught his kids to drive a stick shift because he thought everyone should know how. He also taught them to listen to others, respect their opinions and value them as people, because everyone needed to know how to do that too. He modeled integrity, faithfulness and service throughout his life.

Just like his father, he loved working with his hands, teaching himself rough carpentry, cabinetry, remodeling, roofing, plumbing and other skills. He said learning something new was a great excuse to buy a new tool. When he finally realized he wouldn’t be using them any more he donated many of the tools to the Spokane Veterans’ Home for use in their shop program for residents.

After retirement, he and Marilyn moved into a motor home and used all of their combined skills volunteering through SOWERS and MAPs, traveling to churches and church camps to build and refurbish buildings. Always active in a church, wherever they lived, Bob also spent 15 years on the board of the Union Gospel Mission, supporting programs that enabled people who struggled to find their way back to productive lives.

Bob is survived by children Laura (Stan) Cowart, Dave (Nancy) Cook and Kerri (Steve) Surface, along with 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Marilyn (Lowry), parents George and Alice Cook and sisters Nadia and Joyce. A memorial service at the Medical Lake Veterans Cemetery is planned for mid-April. Arrangements were handled through PNW Cremation.