Robert Cook

Robert "Bob" B. Cook, DVM, age 93, formerly of Minot, ND, passed away on Monday, April 28, 2025, in Sanford Hospice House, Fargo, ND. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 12, 2025, from 3 PM to 5 PM, followed by his 5 PM Memorial Service at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo. Burial will be held at a later date in North Prairie Cemetery, Leeds, ND. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Sanford Hospice House, North Prairie Lutheran Church in Leeds, ND, or the American Cancer Society.

Robert Blair Cook was born July 20,1931 in Grand Forks, ND to Merle and Alvina (Hallsten) Cook. Dad had an older sister, Barbara, and many relatives in the Sheyenne, ND area. The family moved to Fergus Falls, MN when he was three. These were difficult years during the depression where the family stayed in numerous different residences renting spare rooms to get by. In 1941 Alvina moved Dad and Aunt Barbara to Bremerton, WA in search of work in the Naval Yards supporting the war effort. Alvina married Nick Uren in 1945 who served as a stepfather to Bob from his teens until the early 1960s. Dad graduated from Bremerton High School in 1949.

Throughout Bob's life, he was drawn back to the plains of North Dakota and spent numerous summers working on his Uncle Melvin's sheep ranch. Dad developed a special bond with his cousins Mayo and Don Erickson in Sheyenne. They considered each other brothers as time went by. After graduating high school, he hitchhiked across the country eventually reaching New York City before returning to Bremerton. He pursued engineering studies at Olympic Junior College in the early 50s and served in the Army National Guard as a Corporal in the 116th Medical Battalion 41st Infantry Division until being honorably discharged in 1954. Dad decided to pursue a veterinary medicine degree at Washington State University in Pullman, WA, graduating in 1957. His WSU veterinary classmates became lifelong friends sharing many adventures over the years.

Dr. Robert Cook's professional career began in Leeds, ND where he took over an existing veterinary practice. In Leeds he met and wed Carole Ann Nestegard. Bob and Carole were blessed with two children, Kathy and John. In 1964, the Cooks moved to Minot, ND as Dad became a partner with the Minot Veterinary Clinic. Dad enjoyed his clients and partners at the Minot Vet Clinic while attending to both small and large animals until his retirement in 1994. Dad developed lifelong relationships with numerous clients like the Effertz Key Ranch in Velva, ND. He was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church serving on the council, member and president of the ND Veterinary Medical Association, the Elk's Lodge, Norsk Hostefest volunteer, Toastmasters and the Inquisitors. Dr. Cook was awarded the North Dakota Veterinarian of the Year in 1994 by his peers. The Cook family took numerous family vacations over the years including annual July 4th trips to the Erickson cabin in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Bob and Carole Cook enjoyed time with family, traveling, golfing, cards, lake time at Sybil Lake, and spoiling two grandsons at the start of retirement. Dad also "volunteered" as a tractor operator at his son-in-law's, Fred Helming, farm in Lansford, ND. Fred doubled Dad's volunteer salary numerous years given he didn't damage or lose equipment. Fred and Dad enjoyed a great relationship that included lots of humor, trips to blackjack venues, and, begrudgingly, Minnesota Wild games. Unfortunately, Mom was taken by cancer in 1999. Dad's residence in Minot ended with the flood of 2011. After three evacuations and our home being flooded, Dad moved to Fargo to stay at the lake in the summers and in Fargo during the colder months. He was a voracious reader, actively followed his grandson's music and sports activities, loved to learn, and enjoyed socializing with lake neighbors and the Bowling Avoidance clan in Fargo. Dad enjoyed card games and games of chance with the grandsons with the required wager of a "buck-pay" always.

Dad's superpower was "artistic creation" with his hands. Whether it was woodcarving, sketching, painting, paper mache crafts, playing the harmonica or 4-string banjo, or playing whist and gin rummy, he had the ability to "create" art out of materials others would only view as a blank page, stump or scraps. His harmonica magically appeared whenever friends and family got together. He loved classic folk songs and old westerns including "Little Joe the Wrangler", "Blood on the Saddle", "You are my Sunshine" to name a few. Up until his physical body failed, his mind was sharp, full of stories, and a hope to find a cure to keep enriching our lives.

Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all of you who have been so kind and thoughtful at this difficult time. Your love and friendship throughout Dad's life has meant so much to Dad and each one of us. The family extends their gratitude to the medical staff at Sanford Hospital and Sanford Hospice House for the doctors and staff that cared for him.