Dr. Frederick Cook

Dr. Frederick Cook, 89, of Chippewa Falls, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, surrounded by the love of his family.

Grandpa Fred was kind, smart, patient, steady, soft spoken, faithful, curious, outgoing, frugal, generous, hardworking, dependable, a steward of the earth, a teacher and a lifelong student who was loving and gracious to the end.

Frederick Donald Cook was born in Chippewa Falls on May 22, 1923 to Dr. Frederick and Mabel A. Cook. Dr. Fred Sr. was the first dentist in Chippewa Falls, but died when his only son was just three years old. Fred was an outstanding student and earned a scholarship to attend Ripon College in 1941. He joined ROTC there, where he was studying pre-med. After graduation, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin in the Army Specialized Training Program as a full time medical student. He served in the Wisconsin Army National Guard for 13 years after that.

He met and married Barbara Jean Spies on Dec. 22, 1945 at Pres House in Madison where they were students together. Dr. Cook began his first family practice with Drs. John and Frank Sazama in Chippewa Falls. He worked with Dr. Charles Kemper for a year before moving to Menomonie to be a founding member of The Red Cedar Clinic. In those first years of practice, they started their family, welcoming Paul, David, Steven and finally... JULIE, in just five years!

In 1956, Fred and Barb and their four young children returned to Madison where he completed his anesthesiology residency. Then he moved to Green Bay where he was their first anesthesiologist, working for three hospitals and the Sisters of the order of St. Francis for 20 years. After raising their family in Green Bay, Fred and Barb happily returned to Chippewa Falls and their beloved Sand Lake where they built a year-round home next to the original family cottage.

The Sisters of St. Francis asked Dr.Fred to join St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls, allowing the surgery department in the new hospital to expand to include more specialty care. He enjoyed caring for many patients from his home town and being part of an outstanding and dedicated health care community at St. Joe's. Dr. Fred was known for his quiet and calm reassuring presence for both patients and colleagues alike.

Fred and Barb retired and moved to their home at Sand Lake in 1987 and after some travels in Europe and the states, they settled in Green Valley, Ariz., where they enjoyed nine months of active yearly retirement adventures together, including painting, round dancing, and golf. They fell in love with the Arizona climate and geography of the southwest. Fred learned Spanish in his 70s, tutoring the local hispanic school children in computer skills. Fred and Barb met many new friends and loved reuniting with lifelong Wisconsin friends who had also retired there. They felt fortunate to enjoy living in Green Valley for 16 years.

In 2006 they returned home to Sand Lake where they have lived happily to this day. Over their lifetime, they had planted and nurtured the seeds of a family recreation compound at Sand Lake. With their kids and spouses, everyone has continued to work together to create a magical place for retreat and renewal for four more generations of Cooks, extended families and friends. This is the legacy of love and time together as a family that Fred and Barb have made possible, for now and many generations to come.

Everyone loves coming home to Sand Lake.

Fred's love of lifelong learning and enjoying home made cookies, will be an example and inspiration to his family forever. He was always eager to catch up with each of his kids and grandkids, remembering and celebrating each of their interests and activities with encouraging enthusiasm. He welcomed each spouse of his children and grandchildren with complete acceptance and affection. After being an only child, Fred felt grateful to have an ever expanding tribe of Cookies.

Despite two bouts of cancer and the leukemia that took his life, Fred was a model patient, graciously appreciating the care and respect that his medical team and family gave him until the end. Special thanks to the staff of the Cancer Center at Sacred Heart, Dr. Naqvi, and his oncology care team for their ongoing care.

Fred is survived by his wife of 67 years, Barbara. He was very grateful to have lived long enough to become a great grandfather 8 1/2 times over!

His immediate family includes: Paul and Wynne Cook of Chippewa Falls and their kids, Brad and Stella, Phil, Heather and Ellis, all of Durham, N.C.; Dr. Dave and Margarete Cook at Sand Lake, and their family, Sarah and Tony, Anna, Elisha, Isaac and Joy of South Dakota, Katherine "Wildcard" Barbara of Chicago, and Benjamin of Los Angeles; Dr. Steven and Kim Cook of Chippewa Falls, and their kids, Dan and Heather and Vivian of St. Paul, Minn., Emilee and Jarrod and Lucas Thornton, and Tony and Maggie Cook, all of Chippewa Falls; Julie and Louie Rogers of Chippewa Falls, and their kids, Jennifer and Phil Balthazar from Los Angeles, Amy and T.J. Hahn and Addie in Chicago, and Brian Joseph of Eau Claire.

Fred requested memorials to go to the New Auburn Food Pantry, the Open Door Clinic or the charity of the donor's choice.

A memorial celebration of Fred's amazing life will be held at Sand Lake this summer.

Dr. Frederick Cook and his wife, Barbara