ROBERT M. COOK of Lethbridge passed away on August 9, 2010 at the age of 88 years at the Chinook Regional Hospital.
Bob was born on June 15, 1922 in Ipswich, Mass. His career in music and teaching began in New England until he moved to Spokane, Wa. in 1962.
A graduate of Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y., Bob also held an MMEd degree from Boston University.
Before coming to Canada, Bob was an associate professor of music and Chair of the music department at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Was.
He came to Canada in May 1971 as the supervisor of music in Alberta’s Department of Culture, Youth and Recreation. Two years later he became director of Alberta College’s Conservatory of Music. He returned to Alberta Culture in 1974 as director of performing arts, a position he held for seven years. He served as an adjudicator, clinician, guest conductor, music teacher and promoter of the Arts across North America.
During this time period, Bob became a Canadian citizen and earned Canada’s Jubilee Medal for his contribution to the arts. He also served as a director and honorary life member of the Canadian Choral Federation and the Alberta Band Association.
Bob came to the University of Lethbridge in 1984 to assume the position of director of the newly-formed School of Fine Arts, comprising the departments of art, drama and music and their ancillary units, the University Art Gallery, theatre and music conservatory. He was promoted to the rank of professor during his first year as director.
After his retirement in 1989, Bob was active in several provincial and community arts organizations. He was a founding member and Chair of Music Alberta. One of Bob’s proudest accomplishments was the formation of the Lethbridge Community Band in 1987 which he conducted for 10 years. He was named conductor emeritus for the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra Association, served as a director of the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge and received a Distinguished Band Director’s Award from the Canadian Band Association in 1995.
Bob is survived by his wife Beth; children Linda (Ron) Muskopf, Dick (Mary) Cook, Janet Christians (Frank) and Christine (Gary) Vucurevich; 12 grandchildren and 12 great- grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents Mason and Dorothea Cook; brother Babson Cook and sister Glenna Sharkey.
A Celebration of his Life was held at ST. AUGUSTINE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 411-11 Street South, Lethbridge, AB on Monday August 16, 2010 with Canon James Robinson, officiating.
If so desired, donations can be made in Bob’s name to: St. Augustine’s Memorial Fund, the Heart Function Clinic c/o Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, 960 – 19 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 1W5, the Lethbridge Community Band, Box 1921, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4A8, or a charity of your choice.