OCEAN VIEW - Bobby (Bob) Burdette Cook, of Ocean View and formerly of Alexandria and Fredericksburg, Va., passed away on April 12, 2018.
A member of the greatest generation, he was born in Rockport, Neb. on Sept. 21, 1926, the second child of William Jennings Bryan Cook, Sr. and Jewel Harger Cook. Following his early graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Bob was a radioman on PBYs, the Navy's maritime patrol and search-and-rescue seaplane and retired as an Aviation Electronics Technician Chief. While stationed in Chincoteague, Va., he met the love of his life, Margarette Whaley. Married for 48 years, the two raised their children, James and Sharla, while living on both coasts of the U.S. and abroad in Buenos Aries, Argentina, during his military service. As a young man, Bob set the boot camp record for pullups, pitched fast-pitch softball for numerous teams, and won many swing dance competitions with his wife. After Navy retirement, Bob entered civil service at Naval Air Systems Command where he was a logistician on the EA-6B Prowler program. Following retirement from civil service, Bob worked in private industry and continued his contribution to the betterment of this country by developing the tower location plan for cell phone reception on the east coast. Later in life, Bob and Margarette returned to the eastern shore where their love story began. In his spare time, Bob enjoyed watching Baltimore Orioles baseball and old western movies, playing chess, completing crossword puzzles, and collecting coins.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Margarette; son, James; brother, William Jennings Bryan, Jr.; and sisters, Patty and Laura Cook. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Sharla and Victor Cronauer; a granddaughter, Meagan Cronauer; a great granddaughter, Maren; a sister, Evelyn Bills; and numerous extended family members from the eastern shore.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 11 a.m., at the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel.
Bob was privately interred at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Sussex County.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the veteran's organization of your choice, the COPD Foundation, or the Alzheimer's Association.