Mr. Cook had been executive vice president of R.W. Beckett Corp., president of Beckett Gas, Inc., and chairman of Beckett Air Inc. He also served on the board of directors for all three companies.

John D. Beckett, chairman of R.W. Beckett, recounted that “Bob joined me in the company shortly after my father’s death in 1965.…I won’t try to recount the myriad ways in which the lives of so many of us were enriched and blessed by Bob’s unstinting service to our companies. Suffice it to say he is already sorely missed.”

Mr. Cook is survived by his wife of 43 years, Barbara; sons Richard and Thomas; daughter Susan; and five grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Robert and Barbara Cook Philanthropic Fund or the Elyria Rotary Club Scholarship Program, both administered through the Community Foundation of Greater Lorain County, 1865 North Ridge Rd., Suite A, Lorain, OH 44055.

Publication date: 03/25/2002