Bob Cook

Bob Cook was born as Robert Norman Cook on Feb. 18, 1958 in Alexandria, La. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Heber Springs, Ark. where they stayed 'till Bobby's dad, TS Cook, completed construction of the Dam. Bobby also went by the name of Bob, if anyone is wondering about the name changes. Bob was very proud of his father, Ted Cook, who preceded him in death. When the Dam at Heber Springs was completed - Bob's dad spent a whole day with President Kennedy touring the Dam Site, having lunch with Kennedy, and riding in a limo. Months after that, the Cook family moved to NLR and Bob started grade school in Indian Hills. Years later, Ted Cook left a second legacy for Bob to be proud of. Bob's father pulled together a small budget and the equipment, etc needed to build a park on the NLR side of the Arkansas River across from Murray Lock & Dam outside of Little Rock. After it was built the Corps of Engineers honored Mr Cook by naming the park "Cook's Landing". Bob and his older brother Ted Cook, both attended college on football scholarships at Ouachita in Arkadelphia. Bob transferred to Ark Tech in Russellville and graduated with a degree in Forestry. After graduation, Bob worked in Corp of Engineers Projects in Oklahoma, Conway, and DeQueen. The last part of Bob's work career was spent at the Arkansas Dept of Labor - where Bob found a niche in the Safety Department. He was able to cover several jobs there including, blasting inspector, teaching blasting classes, inspecting amusement rides, inspecting county and city operations, complaints and accidents. He worked with some good men and women at the Labor Department and was able to spend most of his time traveling through Arkansas - which Bob enjoyed. One of Bob's cousin's him a "Gentle Giant". Bob was strong but always kind and a gentleman. He will be remembered fondly by his surviving family – his mother Jean Cook (formerly Ms Willa Jean Doolittle of Newton, Miss.). Bob is survived by a sister, Deborah Moore and her husband, Bob Moore, of Ward. Bob is also survived by his older brother, Ted Cook, of Booneville, Ark. and his wife Betty Cook, They have two children Bret Cook and Lynsey Cook. Bret is married to Leslie and they have a beautiful little girl – Nora. The great love of Bob's life was hunting and fishing however. Bob would save every scrap of his vacation time and overtime until deer season and he would take off to the deer woods and would not show back up until time for a family holiday like Thanksgiving. Bob's remains have been interred next to his father, Ted Cook, in Rest Hills Cemetery in North Little Rock.