Dr. Stanley Joseph Cook

1935 - 2016

Dr. Stanley Joseph Cook
Stanley Cook of Ontario passed away at his home on 30 April 2016.
He was born in Spicer, Minnesota, on 9 June 1935. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, he earned his B.A. and graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota in 1957, moved to Berkeley, California, served in the Marine Corps Reserve, traveled extensively in Europe, and in 1969, graduated from the University of Utah with an M.A. and Ph.D. in linguistics.
For 29 years, Dr. Cook taught in the Department of English and Foreign Languages at California Polytechnic University, Pomona, the last years serving as Director of Academic Programs. He chaired the academic senate, actively participated in the union, hosted conferences, pioneered computer technology, published short stories and poetry, and co-authored Language and Human Behavior (1973), Man Unwept (1974), and The Scope of Grammar, A Study of Modern English (1980).
After retiring, Stan published Minnesota Dawns and Other Poems (2007), traveled in Sweden and Norway, and studied oil painting under Nancy Kasten, showing his work locally, winning several awards. He volunteered as a docent at the Ontario Museum of History and Art and co-founded With Open Hands, a food pantry at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church.
A devoted family man, Dr. Cook was preceded in death by sisters Violet Skimland, Shirley Mansoor, Faye Hogenson, and Fern Naiyer; first wife, Janet Terry Cook; son, Jason Foster; niece, Merry Carey. He is survived by his wife, Michaela Dianne; sister, Grace Gassman; children, John Cook and Laurel Aaker; grandchildren Therese, Joshua, Mary, Bernadette, Blaise, and Erik Aaker, and Joseph, Caleb, Cyrus, and Alexander Cook; great-grandson, Tyler Cook; stepson, Scott Higuera, and step-granddaughters, Mollie and Lucie Higuera.
The funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 on 12 May at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, Claremont, followed by private internment at Rose Hills Memorial Park. Contributions to Amnesty International or ASPCA would be appreciated in place of flowers.