Robert Eugene Cook (May 19, 1920 – November 28, 1988) was an American attorney, politician, and judge. A Democrat, he is most notable for his service as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1959 to 1963 and a judge of the Ohio Eleventh District Court of Appeals from 1969 to 1988

Robert Eugene Cook
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 11th district
In office
January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1963
Preceded byDavid S. Dennison
Succeeded byOliver P. Bolton
Personal details
Born(1920-05-19)May 19, 1920
Kent, Ohio
DiedNovember 28, 1988(1988-11-28) (aged 68)
Ravenna, Ohio
Resting placeStanding Rock Cemetery, Kent, Ohio
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materKent State University
William & Mary Law School

Biography

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Cook was born in Kent, Ohio on May 19, 1920, one of the four children of Judge Blake C. Cook and Bessie (Adams) Cook.[1] He graduated from Kent State High School 1938 and attended college at Kent State University.[1]

World War II

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During World War II, Cook joined the Army Air Forces.[1] After enlisting at Patterson Field, he was appointed a warrant officer and trained in the field of radio communications.[1][2] Cook served 1942 to 1946 and was honorably discharged at the end of the war.[1]

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After his military service, Cook returned to Kent State, from which he graduated in 1947.[1] He then attended the William & Mary Law School, from which he received his degree in 1950.[1] Cook was admitted to the bar and practiced in Kent.[1] From 1952 to 1959 he served as prosecuting attorney of Portage County.[1]

Congress

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Cook with President John F. Kennedy in Blue Room, May 25, 1961

A Democrat, in 1958, Cook was the party's successful nominee for a seat in the United States House of Representatives.[3] He was reelected in 1960, and served from 1959 to 1963.[4] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1962.[5]

In 1963, Cook became a judge on the Ohio Court of Common Pleas, and he served until 1969.[5] He was judge of the Ohio Eleventh District Court of Appeals from 1969 until his death.[6][7]

Death and burial

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Cook died at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna, Ohio on November 28, 1988.[7] He was buried at Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent.[7]

Family

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Cook was married to Gaye Smith and had a daughter, Amy Louise, in 1952. They divorced and he married Evelyn M. (Birr) Cook (1928-2007) in 1957 and together they raised their two children - Randy and Amy.[1][7]

In 1962, While Cook was serving in the U.S. House, his chief assistant, Jennette Hall married Winston L. Prouty, a U.S. Senator from Vermont. Hall had been widowed since 1959, and Prouty a widower since 1960. Cook was a cousin of Vernon Cook, who served in the Ohio State Legislature.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Stoyer, Lloyd (December 15, 1957). "Biography in Brief: He Knows the Power of a Doorbell". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, OH. p. 3D – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Robert E. Cook in U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com LLC. July 22, 1942. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  3. ^ "Winners in U.S. House Races". The Daily Reporter. Dover, OH. United Press International. November 5, 1958. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "GOP Picks Up 2 Seats from Ohio In Congress". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati, OH. Associated Press. November 10, 1960. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "Rep. Cook to be Judge". The News-Herald. Willoughby, OH. November 12, 1962. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "3 Judges take Oaths Feb. 6". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, OH. January 16, 1969. p. D5 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b c d "Robert Cook, Was Senior Judge on Ohio 11th District Appeals Court". Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, OH. November 29, 1988. p. C4 – via Newspapers.com.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 11th congressional district

January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1963
Succeeded by