Robert Cocks

Robert Cocks obituary, McHenry, IL

Robert Cocks

Robert Cocks Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Justen Funeral Home & Crematory - McHenry on May 12, 2023.

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Robert Doane Cocks, known to many as Bob, passed away surrounded by his loving family. Born on June 21, 1952, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Bob lived a life full of love, laughter, and learning. He is survived by his loving wife, Judy K Cocks; his children, Christina Elizabeth Fenton, Kathryn Ann Beaty, Jonathan Thomas Bennett, David Doane Cocks, Laura Jordan Cocks, Emily Elaine Ramirez (Cocks), Nellie Marie Cocks; his grandchildren, George Bennett, Emareen Ramirez, Sawyer Fenton, Samuel Fenton, Jonathan Bennett Jr., Lillian Bennett, Mia Ramirez, Dalton Cocks, Charles Beaty, Genevieve Ramirez, Nicholas Beaty, and Naomi Ramirez; and his sister, Geraldine Cocks.
Bob's capacious thirst for knowledge began at a young age and continued throughout his life. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Grinnell College and went on to obtain a Master of Arts degree from the University of Illinois, followed by a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. Bob's dedication to education was evident in his discussions with family and friends, where he would often share insights and engage in spirited debates.
In his professional life, Bob was an accomplished businessman who managed and consulted for many companies, including J D Mott, Gander Mountain, J C Whitney, Autom Company, WW Grainger, and Whitewater Brands. His keen analytical skills and intelligence allowed him to excel in his career, leaving a lasting impact on the businesses he worked with. Bob's commitment to service extended beyond the workplace, as he was an active member of the Marine Reserves and the Knights of Columbus.
Family was at the heart of Bob's life, and he cherished the time spent with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He enjoyed reading, debating, and engaging in family discussions, often sharing his favorite limericks and jokes. Bob's love for humor was evident in his oft-repeated motto, "There is no joke too bad, too old, or too often told." His laughter and his razor-sharp wit will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Bob's strong faith in God played a significant role in his life, culminating in his baptism and confirmation into the Roman Catholic faith at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. His generosity and kindness were a testament to his beliefs, and he left a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to know him.
In Bob's pursuit of faith, he was deeply moved by the life and writings of St Edith Stein. St Edith's quote, "when you seek truth, you seek God whether you know it or not", aptly describes Bob's journey of faith. Bob Cocks embodied this sentiment with his unwavering commitment to his family, friends, and community. He will be fondly remembered as a deeply intelligent, selfless, and analytical man who lived life to the fullest and brought joy and zest to all those around him.
Rest in peace, Bob. Your legacy of love, laughter, learning, and how proud you were of your beautiful family will live on in the hearts of those you leave behind.
A gathering will be held at St Mary's Catholic Church of Woodstock, 312 Lincoln Ave, Woodstock, IL 60098, from 9 A.M. until 10:30 A.M. where we will then have Funeral Mass to celebrate the life of Bob Cocks. Immediately following mass our interment will take place a Calvery Catholic Cemetery in Woodstock.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to 1st Way Life Center or the Society of Saint Pius X.

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

Sign Robert Cocks's Guest Book

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May 6, 2025

Kathy A Sadlowski posted to the memorial.

May 13, 2023

Gary Cocks planted trees.

May 13, 2023

Tom Sadlowski posted to the memorial.

4 Entries

Kathy A Sadlowski

May 6, 2025

I will always think of Bob, and you Judy during the spring and our visit to the Tulip festival. Bob invited you to join us and I am so happy that he did. It gave us quality adult time to get to know know each other. Most memories are from childhood so this was extra special. Our private phone calls were a surprise and held dearly in my heart. We miss you, Bob.

Single Memorial Tree

Gary Cocks

Planted Trees

Tom Sadlowski

May 13, 2023

Bob was my wife Kathy Cocks-Sadlowski´s cousin. I´d bump into him every decade or so when we stayed overnight at his home on our way to or from "the lake" in Minnesota. Other than "Hi, how are you?" or "Thanks for letting us stay", I didn´t have the first clue of who Bob was, other than the idea that he must be a pretty good guy for always taking us in on short notice.

I only got to know Bob better in the last few years, through two encounters. The first was at his home in Woodstock. The second was on weekend excursion to Holland, Michigan. Both were opportunities to take time and sit down together, break bread, share stories, and get a sense of who "the person beneath the veneer" was.

For me the meetings were exhilarating and intoxicating; but at the same time intellectually humbling. An odd mix, to be sure; but one that drew me toward him, like a small object being pulled to a body containing immense gravitational energy.

Bob made me laugh, even as I tried to make him laugh. I take pride in my ability to come up with crazy puns and one-liners to keep a conversation going; but to my surprise I discovered that Bob could always "one-up" me. It became a bit of a contest in my head to outpace him to the next zinger. More often than not I lost; but it made me enamored with him.

At the same time, Bob humbled me with his mind, intellect and oratory. He easily took the measure of me; and I learned that when you raise any issue or talking point with Bob, you´d better be armed with knowledge and the speaking ability to back it up. It was like Sponge Bob Square Pants debating William F. Buckley, or Rocky Balboa philosophizing with Aristotle. No contest. I have come to understand that these spirited dialogues were invigorating to Bob, too. They were an outlet for his great mind, great ideas and great voice. I wish that I could have been a more worthy challenge for him.

Bob was funny; and he was a beyond-world-class thinker. But underneath all of that was a heart as big as Secretariat´s. I knew that he saw me and cared for me as a person; and that his love of people and animals and life came from a spirit that was one with God and mother earth.

Bob made me laugh. He made me think. He made me mad. He made me ponder. He challenged my ideas. He reopened my mind to intellectual rigor, honesty and curiosity. I am a better man for having gotten to know him, even a little. My only regret is that it took me so late in life to discover him.

Be at peace with God, Bob.
Tom Sadlowski

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Doug and Sandy Beaty

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Justen Funeral Home & Crematory - McHenry

3700 W. Charles J. Miller Road, McHenry, IL 60050

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Sign Robert Cocks's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

May 6, 2025

Kathy A Sadlowski posted to the memorial.

May 13, 2023

Gary Cocks planted trees.

May 13, 2023

Tom Sadlowski posted to the memorial.