Roger Cook was caretaker for borough and environment

By Anthony V. Coppola, Staff Writer
   HIGHTSTOWN — By all accounts, Roger Cook was a persistent man who cared about people and the environment.
   His contributions and accomplishments impacted lives from Chicago to Hightstown, where one borough leader called him “one of our town’s true heroes.”
   Mr. Cook died Monday at the University Medical Center at Princeton. He was 81.
   Following his time as councilman from January 1992 to December 1994, Mr. Cook had served on the borough Environmental Commission since 1995. He also served on the local Board of Health for 13 years and was instrumental in establishing the local Well Baby program for new mothers who need assistance.
   Larry Blake, Public Works director in Hightstown, was a friend of Mr. Cook’s for 40 years and admired his environmental vision.
   ”If you cut one tree down, you had to plant two new ones,” Mr. Blake said. “That’s the type of guy he was.”
   He also said Mr. Cook was responsible for straightening out a lot of the borough’s records, making life easier for many people.
   ”He kept an eye on everything and was relentless in getting things done,” Mr. Blake said. “The only reason we had projects and kept them going was because of Roger, He’s a guy I’m really going to miss. He had a lot of knowledge.”
   Mr. Cook was born in Cranbury and graduated from Hightstown High School in 1944. He attended Duke University and graduated in 1950 with a bachelor’s of science degree in mechanical engineering.
   In January 2006, Mayor Bob Patten and the Borough Council honored Mr. Cook with a proclamation recognizing him for 45 years of contributions that made Hightstown “a better place for past, present and future residents.”
   A dream became reality for Mr. Cook who worked to bring a greenway to Hightstown. Mayor Bob Patten said Mr. Cook worked tirelessly for 16 or 17 years with the dream of making Hightstown environmentally beautiful and added “there’s practically a forest in Hightstown thanks to Mr. Cook.”
   ”Roger wanted a place for things like walking, jogging and biking,” Mayor Patten said. “He never gave up despite the hurdles with properties and the obstacles created by the Department of Environmental Protection.”
   He said Mr. Cook gave up many hours, weekends and years of his life for the benefit of Hightstown.
   ”If 25 percent of the residents in Hightstown were as dedicated as Roger, this town would be a national example for volunteerism,” he added.
   Hightstown’s artistic culture is another area Mr. Cook helped cultivate. In 1985, he purchased the former farmers depot at 148 Monmouth St. and transformed it into what is now the Art Station Studios. Today, the location is home to 17 artists.
   Juanita Yoder, sn Indiana native who has rented a studio for seven years, said Mr. Cook’s contribution to the Art Station Studios went well beyond its construction.
   ”He put out an incredible amount of energy,” she said. “When I first met him he was carrying five briefcases, it seemed like he had a hand in everything that was going on.”
   She added that Mr. Cook was like an uncle to her and would often give her counsel on career directions.
   ”We’ll sorely miss him,” she said. “He’s created quite a legacy here.”
   Susan Winter, another artist at the Art Station Studios, knew Mr. Cook since 2000, when she answered an ad to rent a studio. She said she was particularly pleased with the atmosphere Mr. Cook helped create.
   ”He was looking for painters who took their work seriously,” Ms. Winter said. “He always asked us what we thought of the person (prospective tenant) prior to making his decision. He created a haven for artists and since that time we’ve been like a family.”
   Ms. Winter said Mr. Cook also was responsible for bringing attention to the artists’ work by conducting an annual open house. That tradition will continue Dec. 8.
   John Murdoch came to New Jersey from Chicago attempting to settle into a private studio. Mr. Cook afforded him that opportunity at what Mr. Murdoch called an inexpensive and valuable site.
   ”He was terrific and conscientious,” Mr. Murdoch said. “He cared about what went on at the studio. He was an ideal landlord.”
   In September 2006, Mr. Cook received the Community Activist Award from the Community Action Service Center. The award is presented to those who contribute to making the community a better place to live.
   Despite his long list of invaluable contributions, Mr. Cook was by no means all work and no play.
   Gene Sarafin served with Mr. Cook on the Water and Sewer Operating Committee but his fondest memories date back to their years of commuting by bus to 42nd Street in New York City from 1965 to 1970 for work. At the time, Mr. Cook was director of engineering for the Good Housekeeping Institute while Mr. Sarafin was employed by IBM.
   Mr. Sarafin pointed to Mr. Cook’s sense of humor.
   ”I remember he was in charge of all testing so I asked him how long does a mattress last,” Mr. Sarafin said. “He told me if you’re young and athletic the first mattress lasts about 10 years; the second one you die on.”
   Mr. Cook was director of engineering for the Good Housekeeping Institute from 1962 to 1988. He served as its technical director from 1988 until his retirement in 1995.
   It’s evident from Borough Administrator Candace Gallagher’s description of Mr. Cook as a local hero to Mr. Murdoch’s portrayal of him as a conscientious landlord, that Mr. Cook’s benevolence reached a spectrum of people.
   Gary Grubb, a close friend of Mr. Cook’s for 20 years and fellow Environmental Commission member, said he is happy the two men crossed paths. Mr. Grubb knows he’ll be reminded at each Environmental Commission meeting that Hightstown has lost a great mentor.
   ”There will be a vacant seat that has to be filled,” Mr. Grubb said. “In many ways it will always be empty without Roger there.”
   Among Mr. Cook’s survivors are his wife, Frances; two daughters; six stepchildren; and 14 grandchildren.
   A memorial service was scheduled for 11:30 a.m. today, Friday, at the First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown.