William Burdette "Bill" Cook

William (Bill) Burdette Cook, age 75, of Chanhassen, Minnesota, passed away at home, surrounded by family, on Sunday, November 9, 2025, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. A devoted husband, father, friend, and community builder, Bill will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
In preparing for his passing, Bill reflected on the three things he was most proud of: his wife, his children, and his career - in that very order.
A life well lived, Bill's story began and ended in his home state of Minnesota, with many grand adventures in between. His childhood was spent in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, as well as in California, Nebraska, and Alaska, before his teenage years took him to England and Germany. Ever the energetic spirit, he was often the playful scapegoat for any unexplained mishap - including, family legend has it, the 1964 Alaska earthquake.
Bill earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University, where he discovered two lifelong passions: engineering and, more importantly, Laticia ("Tish") Davis. After meeting in the bituminous lab, it took Bill a year to ask Tish on a date - but just a year later, they were married. For more than 50 years, they shared a partnership built on friendship, laughter, and unwavering support.
Together, Bill and Tish raised two children, Chad and Emily. Bill was an enthusiastic and hands-on father, coaching soccer, softball, and basketball teams; joining scouting adventures; riding with Chad in RAGBRAI; and dancing with Emily in a choreographed Father/Daughter routine on the football field.
Throughout his distinguished career as a civil engineer, Bill dedicated himself to strengthening communities across the country. His work ensured that cities had clean drinking water, reliable sewage systems, and thriving public spaces - even including snow-making equipment and community pools. Family vacations often featured a quick detour to a local wastewater treatment plant, much to everyone's amusement.
Retirement, for Bill, was anything but quiet. He gave back through public service on the Greenwood City Council and the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District. He also pursued countless hobbies - from fishing and cross-country Vespa rides to stamp collecting and maintaining saltwater aquariums. A natural connector, Bill never met a stranger and used his wide-ranging interests as a way to build friendships everywhere he went. He and Tish traveled often and were always planning their next adventure.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Tish; his children, Chad (Katie Lail) and Emily (Oliver McMillan); his siblings, Roger Cook, Sarah Cook-Burton, and Martha Keaveny; and many cherished family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Elizabeth Cook, and his sister, Terry Cook.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 301 County Road 19, Excelsior, MN, 55331 on December 5th, 2025. Visitation at 10am, Service at 11am. Lunch to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the American Cancer Society in Bill's memory.