Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

About

Princeton University

ROGER HOOKER Obituary

HOOKER--Roger W., Jr., of Palisades, NY, passed away on December 8, at 74. He served as Deputy Secretary to Governor Nelson Rockefeller and Assistant Secretary to the U.S. Department of Transportation under the Ford administration. Before returning to the private practice of law, Roger was General Counsel to the U.S. arm of Grand Metropolitan, PLC, as well as its predecessor, Liggett Group, Inc. An ardent supporter of the arts, Roger sat on the boards of the American Dance Festival, the Rockland Center for the Arts, and the Baryshnikov Arts Center. He was paralyzed in a 2009 back operation and lived the last seven years of his life facing profound adversity with uncommon alacrity, kindness, and an exceptional sense of humor. He is fiercely loved and missed by his wife, Joan; his two daughters, Kate and Sarah, both of Brooklyn, NY; his brother Henry, of Santa Cruz, CA; a horde of nieces, nephews, and in-laws; and a huge group of friends collected from every place he spent time, including his birthplace of Niagara Falls, NY, Palisades, NY; Princeton University; Columbia Law School; NYC; Washington, D.C.; Durham, NC; and Woolwich, ME. A celebration of Roger's life will be held at 2pm on Saturday, December 19, at the Rockland Country Club. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Spinal Cord Injury Program at Helen Hayes Hospital or the arts organizations above.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Dec. 12, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for ROGER HOOKER

Sponsored by anonymous.

21 Entries

Susan Berryhill Hill

December 7, 2022

Roger, I was thinking about you two days ago and all that we shared at Park and our long bus ride. You always kind and I was treated, by you, as an "almost" sister . You helped to shape my later life and relationship to others. Thank you. My eternal gratitude and love.

MOLLY MASON SAMETT

December 6, 2021

HE WAS A VERY GIVING AND...HANDSOME MAN! THE ROCKLAND CENTER FOR THE ARTS ADORED HIM FOR HOW MUCH HE CONTRIBUTED. HE DIED TOO YOUNG!

Gary Mols

January 20, 2020

I knew Roger and Henry while attending the Park School of Buffalo. I remember visiting the Hooker residence several times in the late 50's with the Tom, Steve and Court Cary's. Wonder family. I know my sister Susan Mols, who attended the Washington School of Ballet and trained in NYC sometimes hitched a plane ride with Mr. Hooker Sr. I believe.

My Retirement Photo Before Our Volunteer Service in the Philippines

Robert Goss

August 2, 2018

I worked directly for Roger Hooker at the U.S. Department of Transportation, to assist him in doing White House Reports for President Ford and his staff at the White HOuse, and working with Members of Congress, and state and local government officals (governors and mayors, etc.).

He was so very caring about me, a younger fellow. I knew Christine Whiteman who was another one of his assistants, and Ray Warner who headed his Congressional operation, and John Patton who headed his State and Local Government Operation.

You are welcome to contact me at [email protected]

Robert Goss

Arthur Monroe

March 27, 2018

I am very sad to learn about Roger's passing. It was always a pleasure to be in his company. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

Anne Boylan

February 2, 2016

Truly sad news about Roger. He was both a gentle man and a gentle soul. I worked with him when I was in International Affairs with Nelson Rockefeller. He was a lovely human being. I was doubly grieved to learn about his last seven years with paralysis. A tragedy indeed. Be peaceful Roger. Annie Boylan

Juianne Ramos

January 2, 2016

I am deeply saddened to learn of Roger Hooker's passing. Roger was an extraordinary man who served with distinction as President of the Board of Directors of the Rockland Center for the Arts (RoCA). Among his achievements, he rewrote RoCA's outdated By-Laws that have guided the organization every since. Roger was generous with his time, his experience, his wisdom and his support. His guidance during the early years of my tenure as Executive Director was invaluable and deeply appreciated. RoCA and I are grateful to this warm, generous and fine man whose leadership of RoCA will be long remembered. My condolences to his wife, Joan, to his two daughters and his family.

Molly Samett

January 2, 2016

Roger Hooker was a gentle, kind, intelligent and giving person who so many admired. He will be remembered with a warm smile by many in our community and the Rockland Center for the Arts.

Bernard Mandelkern Phillips

January 1, 2016

I was saddened to learn of Roger's passing. I was privileged to call him a friend during my years at Park, and later in NYC and Washington, a great guy. RIP

December 18, 2015

Beautiful words for a wonderful man. We look forward to sharing in his life celebration with his extraordinary family and friends. Much love, Nancy and Bruce.

Tom Krakauer

December 16, 2015

I met Roger the summer before I started 5th grade at Park School when we both were campers at Camp Pathfinder in Algonquin Park in Canada. I have never forgotten his kindness of making me feeling welcomed as a "new student" at Park. I am saddened by the loss and wish to convey to his family my deepest condolence.
Tom Krakauer, Bahama, NC

Nancy (Townsend) Wyman

December 15, 2015

Among the wonderful things about the Park School was the opportunity to get to know others in different grades. I am glad I had the chance to know you. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Susan Berryhill Hill

December 15, 2015

To my Park School Bus Mate and Mrs. House's Social Dance Class - those of us from Niagara Falls and Lewiston formed a closeness - I will remember, always, your kindness and great spirit. My Peace be with you.

Margo Davis

December 15, 2015

I'm sorry to hear of "Mr. Hooker"'s passing and of your loss. He taught me history at Park school.We all had crushes on him... even had a code name G'dor (adore). Whenever I thought of him through the years I alwsys heard his warm laugh in my head. He was such a joyous addition to Park and to my education. Peace and warm wishes to you and your family.
Margo Davis

David Simpson

December 14, 2015

Roger, you were a grand man and I am very much saddened and vexed by your having been taken from your family and friends too soon.

Corning Townsend

December 14, 2015

Roger, Always my go to guy and mentor. We shared good times at Park and Lewiston.
Miss you old friend.
Corning Townsend

December 14, 2015

Roger- my parents adored you and it was always a special event when you were in town! Whitney Hoyt

Carole Hughes

December 13, 2015

Katie and Family,
My sympathy to you and the rest of your family at this difficult time.

Allison Weisberg

December 12, 2015

I was always a small kid. Growing up, no one made be feel big quite like Roger.

Morgan Seidler

December 12, 2015

Roger,
The world is a funnier, happier place for having had you in it. Thank you for being such a kind and loving presence in my childhood, for being such a big part of why your house always felt like home.
Love,
Morgan