Edward John Cook

Captain, U.S. Navy

Edward Cook was raised in St. Paul, MN where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology.

In 1940, Ensign Cook was called to active duty at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he taught chemistry, physics, electrical engineering and electronics primarily to the Class of 1945. When he was released from active duty in 1946, he was asked to join the civilian faculty, starting out as an instructor in chemistry. While teaching full-time, he also furthered his graduate studies, earning his Doctorate in Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

During his long career at the Academy, he was instrumental in many changes which strengthened the scope and quality of academics. For his intimate involvement in the design, construction and outfitting of Michelson Hall, he was awarded the Secretary of the Navy's Distinguished Civilian Service Award in 1969. He served as Senior Professor of the Science Department, was the Academy's first civilian Associate Dean and Director of Research, and subsequently served as Interim Dean.

He was called upon to serve as a liaison with the naval training personnel of foreign countries, among which were Ecuador, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Turkey and Russia, with onsite visits to Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. He served on the Governor's Science Advisory Council for thirty years, was a member of the Visiting Team in the re-accreditation of seven colleges and universities for the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, and served on the Examinations Committee of the American Chemical Society. He served for two years on the Board of Control of the Naval Academy Athletic Association, and as a lay Eucharistic minister for fifteen years at the Catholic Chapel Services at the Academy.

While a member of the civilian faculty, he maintained his interest and participation in the Naval Reserves, and served as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Reserve Research Unit. In 1977, he retired as a Captain from the USNR after 35 years of service. Upon retirement in 1981 from the USNA, he was awarded a second Distinguished Civilian Service Award and was named Associate Dean Emeritus.

An Annapolis Rotarian for thirty-three years, he served as president (1979-80) and was a Paul Harris Fellow. An avid gardener, he grew hybrid roses and irises and enjoyed capturing their beauty with color photography. After retirement, golf became his sport of choice. He remained actively involved in spite of vision loss due to macular degeneration. He was a member of Academy Golf Course, where he enjoyed playing and winning in the senior men's weekly tournament. He fondly recalled the spectacularly long putt he sank in the summer of 2010, during what turned out to be his last round of golf.

Although his accomplishments were many, Edward Cook is best remembered as that rare individual who always treated others with kindness and dignity. He was a respected colleague, valued friend, and dedicated husband and father.

A seventy-year resident of Annapolis, Associate Dean Emeritus Edward John Cook died at his home in Ginger Cove on 13 October 2010 after a swift battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 93.

He was survived by his devoted wife of sixty-eight years, Bernadette (Bette) (nee Casey); daughters, Jeanne Remedio of Wilmington, DE, and Jody Anne Noland of Marietta, GA; grandchildren, Paul Remedio, Christopher Remedio, and Anne Burnett Noland; and his sister, Joan Kraft of White Bear Lake, MN.

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