Robert L. Cook

Robert L. Cook, age 65, of Osawatomie, Kansas, passed away on June 4, 2018 at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas. Bob was the younger of two sons born to Kenneth Edward and Glena Mae (Wilcox) Cook. He was born at the Baptist Lutheran Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Bob graduated from Osawatomie High School with the Class of 1970. He then attended Emporia State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1974 and in 1976 earned his Master's Degree in Business Administration. Bob and Marilyn Hermreck met at Emporia State University and began dating. They were united in marriage on June 3, 1978 at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Scipio, Kansas. They made their home in Osawatomie and became the parents of three sons. Bob began his teaching career in 1976 when he started working as the special education teacher at the Osawatomie West Elementary School. He then became principal at Osawatomie East Elementary School and served in that capacity from 1980 until 1994. From 1994 until his retirement in 2007, Bob served the Osawatomie community as USD 367 Superintendent. He was a member of the St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Osawatomie, the Knights of Columbus, Osawatomie Rotary Club, Osawatomie Library Board, and the John Brown Jamboree Committee. Bob was a big promoter in the Osawatomie Community. He was very instrumental in getting the YMCA in Osawatomie, the new Osawatomie Trojan Elementary school, and the Osawatomie Middle School expansion. Bob loved being with his family. Any time spent with his kids and grandkids were cherished. He enjoyed his sons' band, Silver Bullet, and was most likely their number one fan. The boys even allowed him to be their sound man for quite some time. Bob rarely missed any of their gigs. He also enjoyed traveling, fishing, golfing, and smoking/barbequeing meat. Besides the Osawatomie Trojans sports teams, the Chiefs were his favorite football team and the Royals were his favorite baseball team. Bob was a part of the men's group known as the Friday Breakfast Gang which met at Chris' Cafe. Those men were known to solve the world's problems and share great stories. He was preceded in death by his parents and two nephews Brad William Cook and Aaron Michael Henry. He is survived by his wife Marilyn of the home, sons Andy (Mandy) of Paola, Kevin (Jennifer) of Paola, and Chris (Malarie) of Belton, MO; 8 grandchildren Abby, Colin, Rylee, Carson, June, Allie, Brody, and Miles; his brother Bill (Pam) of Osawatomie; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. Rosary will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday, June 7, 2018 followed by visitation at the St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Osawatomie. Funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 8, 2018 at the St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. Burial will be in the Osawatomie Cemetery. Pallbearers are Brian Cook, Trenton Buchman, Paul Davis, Jamie Riggs, Mike Gorman, Josh Madden, Robbie Dickey, Damon Mulligan, and Clint Meinig. Honorary pallbearers are Bernie Hadsall, Doug Tyrrell, Steve Clark, Steve Winegar, Bill Calvin, and Mark Davis. Memorials are to the Robert L. Cook Educational Scholarship Fund and can be sent in care of Dengel & Son Mortuary, 605 O'Neal Avenue, Osawatomie, KS, 66064. To leave memories of Bob or condolences for his family, please click the Share a Memory tab.