Leatherneck Athletics Mourns Loss of Hall of Famer Ron Cook

One of the oldest living members of the Athletic Department Hall of Fame passes at age 96

MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois Athletics mourns the loss of Hall of Fame member Ronald L. Cook.

Cook passed away at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb, Illinois, on Thursday (Sept. 14). The Vermont, Illinois, native passed away at the age of 96. He was the second-oldest Athletic Department Hall of Fame member.

Alongside his daughter Mary Ann, Ronald established the "Ron & Doris Cook Athletics Scholarship" in 2016. For the past two years, a Western Illinois University student-athlete has been awarded the scholarship.

Visitation will take place Monday night (Sept. 18) at the Worthington Funeral Home in Rushville. Funeral services will be Tuesday at the Industry United Methodist Church. Memorials may be given to the Ronald & Doris Cook Athletics Scholarship at Western Illinois University.

During his time at Western, Cook a tri-sport athlete, lettered twice in football (1938-39), four times in track (1939-41, and 1946) and three times in basketball (1938-39, 1946). Captain and conference MVP as a guard and basketball, Cook also played halfback in football. During his track years, he qualified for the NCAA Nationals at Milwaukee in 1940 for both hurdles and pole vault.

Amid his collegiate career, Ronald Cook enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard where he played basketball before being discharged on disability and returning to Western to complete his bachelor's degree in Chemistry in 1946.

Once completing his master's degree in Chemistry in 1947, Cook became a coach for the sports he played in college and a junior high science teacher at the Western Academy followed by teaching and coaching at several high schools.

In 1962, Cook became a member of the Illinois State University faculty as a chemistry professor. He held the position until his retirement in 1978. From 1949-79 he was on the Illinois Curriculum Council and State Superintendent's Office.

Other accolades he received include the Freedom Foundation of Valley Forge Outstanding Educator Award in 1961 and an Alumni Achievement Award from Western Illinois University in 1976. In 1999 he was inducted into the Morrison Community High School Athletic Hall of Fame as a basketball coach.

He is survived by his wife, Doris Dohner Cook, (3) daughters, Ramona Cook of rural Industry, Linda (Michael) Kuehl of Elgin, IL, Mary Ann Cook (Joseph Cusumano MD) of St. Louis, MO, (1) grandson, Michael Cook Cusumano of Springfield, IL, (1) sister, Elizabeth (Herb) Easley of Macomb, IL, many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Raymond Cook.

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