HIGHTSTOWN Roger G. Cook, 81, died Sept. 17 at the University Medical Center at Princeton.
Born in Cranbury, he was a Hightstown resident since 1954.
Mr. Cook was a graduate of Cranbury Grammar School, Hightstown High School, Class of 1944, and Duke University, Class of 1950, with a B.S. in mechanical engineering.
Mr. Cook worked as a mechanical engineer with the Ternstedt Division of General Motors in Ewing from 1950 to 1958, then from 1958 to 1962 was chief engineer, Pump Division with Sier-Bath Gear & Pump Co. in North Bergen. He retired from the Good Housekeeping Institute, Hearst Magazines, in New York, N.Y., where he served as director of engineering from 1962 to 1988, and technical director from 1988 to 1995.
During those years he was active in several professional organizations: ASTM, chairman for F11 on vacuum cleaners, and chairman of F6 on resilient floor coverings; ANSI, Executive Standards Council; National Safety Council, Home Safety Division; and the Underwriter’s Laboratory, as a member of the Consumer Council. Mr. Cook was a member of the Hightstown/East Windsor Lions Club, Hightstown/East Windsor Historical Society, American Rhododendron Society, Hightstown Coterie and the First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown.
Mr. Cook dedicated many years to the Borough of Hightstown, serving on the Board of Health for 13 years, as councilman for three years and also served on the Environmental Commission since 1995. He became interested in developing a greenway around Hightstown and worked diligently over the next 16 years to achieve that goal. Last year, it was dedicated as the Roger G. Cook Greenway.
Mr. Cook was instrumental in establishing the Borough Water and Sewer Operating Committee in 1994 and served as ad hoc chairman, overseeing all operations since its inception. Mr. Cook was the creator and owner of Art Station in Hightstown.
Predeceased by his first wife, Wilda (Huber) Cook, he is survived by his wife, Frances Cook of Hightstown; his two daughters and sons-in-law, Valerie and Glenn Black of North Hanover, and Tammy and Reid Larson of Waterville, N.Y.; his stepchildren and their spouses, Susan and Bruce Carusi of Mill Neck, N.Y., Joan and Noel Myers of Boston, Ann and Steve Lack of Acton, Mass., Stephen and Gina Altamore of West Windsor, Mark Altamore of Kingston, and Kathryn Altamore of San Francisco; and his grandchildren, Tara Black, Anders and Erik Larson, CJ and Jesse Lack, Peter, Melinda and Ian Altamore, Jackson and Caden Altamore, and Alison, Jamie, Sean and Kelly Carusi.
A memorial service was held Friday at the First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown, Hightstown. Private burial was held in Brainerd Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Roger G. Cook Engineering Scholarship Award, 148 Monmouth St., Hightstown, NJ 08520 or to the Mastocytosis Society, PO Box 511, Plainville, CT 06062.
