by Enies Burton
Staff Writer
Associate Mechanical/Electrical Engineering Professor Bill Cook, 61, left Frontier Fiesta Friday afternoon and went to eat dinner with his wife, Donna Scott. After Cook and Scott discussed possibly taking in a movie that weekend, Cook fell asleep at home.
The next morning, Scott realized Cook had died in his sleep from what doctors have guessed was a heart attack or a severe stroke. He suffered from heart problems in the past.
Cook had been part of the UH faculty since 1968. He taught service courses, electronics laboratory courses and vibration and control courses in the Mechanical Engineering Department.
Dr. Lawrence Curry, associate dean/associate professor of the Humanities, Fine Arts and Communications Department, described Cook as "one of the good citizens on this campus."
According to Richard Bannerot, chairman of the Mechanical Engineering Department, Cook stayed involved in student affairs, both on- and off-campus. "Cook hosted a Christmas party every year at his home for students."
"Some of Cook's favorite pastimes were playing serious bridge, poker and participating in intercollegiate study programs that would help athletes," Bannerot said. Cook ran track and received his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University.
Memorial services for Cook will be held Wednesday, April 23, at 3 p.m. at the Athletic/Alumni Facility in the Carl Lewis Auditorium.