Robert W. “Bob” Cook, age 79 of Jasper

Robert W. “Bob” Cook, age 79 of Jasper, Indiana, passed away at 2:22 am on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper, Indiana.  

Bob was born in Evansville, Indiana on December 17, 1942 to Robert W. and Helen (Angermeier) Cook.  He met his wife Lani Goodness in 1969 and they were married on December 19, 1970 in the Huntingburg United Methodist Church.  She preceded him in death on January 28, 2020.  

He attended St. Benedicts grade school and then graduated High School from Reitz Memorial in 1960.  He graduated from the University of Evansville in 1966 with a teaching degree and then received his master’s in Elementary Education and a minor in History from Indiana University in 1970.  While at the University of Evansville he played baseball and was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.   

His fist job was at Norris City High School in Illinois where he taught history and physical education, and was a freshman basketball coach and a track coach. He then taught at Reitz Memorial High School for one year before coming to Jasper in 1969 where he served as a physical education teacher at 10th Street and 5th Street and Ireland Elementary Schools, and coached Basketball and Baseball at 10th street and Jasper High School.  He retired in 2003 after 38 years of service.  

He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ireland.  He was also a member of the Jasper Kiwanis Club in Jasper, and the Ireland Lion’s Club where he served as the president in 1997 and served on the board of directors since 1997.

While in Jasper he coached Jasper Little League and Pony League teams and was the president of the Little League Association for 2 years.   He was appointed to the Jasper Zoning and Planning Boards, where he also served as a president.  

He enjoyed watching sports, traveling to Florida, and spending time with friends and family, especially his grandchildren.  

Surviving is one daughter, Courtney Cooney (Mike), Westfield, IN, one son, Kyle Cook (Brooke), Ireland, IN, five grandchildren, Nolan and A.J. Cooney, and Sophie, Finley, and James Cook, his companion, Ann Hilgefort, Jasper, two brothers, David Cook (Beth Ann), and Michael Cook (Karla), both of Evansville.  

Preceding him in death beside his wife were his parents. 

A Mass of Christian Burial for Robert W. “Bob” Cook will be held at 10am on Monday, March 28, 2022 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ireland, Indiana, with burial to follow in the church cemetery.  

A visitation will be held from Noon until 4pm on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at the Becher-Kluesner North Chapel in Jasper, and from 9 am until the 10 am Mass time at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Monday.  

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or a favorite charity.  

Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com