Richard "Dick" Cook

Richard "Dick" Cook, 84, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at Heritage House in Atlantic.

Dick was born on November 23, 1932, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Harry Lewis and Nellie Louise (Bugbee) Cook. In 1937, the family moved to Atlantic, Iowa, where Dick grew up and attended Atlantic High School, graduating with the class of 1951. Dick was a talented athlete, participating and lettering in football, basketball, and track and field. He also played trumpet for the band and was known to march in half time shows while still wearing his football uniform!

Dick then attended the University of Iowa and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, holding several offices throughout his time at Iowa. He graduated in 1955, with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy.

Following graduation, Dick enlisted in the United States Navy. He was a Special Weapons Officer and pilot aboard the USS Wasp from 1956-1959. His squadron conducted anti-submarine surveillance in the Mediterranean Sea during the Lebanon Crisis. Dick received an honorable discharge in 1959. Recently, Dick participated in the Cass County Honor Flight to Washington D.C., and thought the best part of the whole trip was the send-off coming out of Atlantic!

Upon his return to Atlantic from the Navy, Dick went into business with his father and eventually Monte and Steve Caslow, owning and operating a drugstore at several different downtown locations on Chestnut Street. When Cook Pharmacy closed its doors in 1998, Dick continued in the profession assisting when needed in the pharmacies at Cass County Memorial Hospital, Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, the Atlantic Medical Center, and Hy-Vee. In 2005, Dick was honored by the Iowa Pharmacy Association for 50 years of service to the profession. Dick was an enthusiastic mentor to several high school and college-aged students who worked at the pharmacy, encouraging many to go into the field of pharmacy themselves.

Dick married Doris Jean Guttenfelder on December 29, 1959. The couple had three daughters, Terri, Sarah and Barbara. The family enjoyed many years of traveling, including deep sea fishing trips to Florida and the Bahamas; boating on Lake Okoboji, Lake of the Ozarks, the Missouri River, and Islamorada, Florida. Dick maintained a private pilot's license most of his life and owned his own plane, flying to Iowa City and to flight breakfasts around Iowa with his family.

Dick was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Atlantic, serving as deacon and elder for many years. He was also on the Atlantic School Board for many years and was president for one term.

Dick is survived by his wife of 57 years, Doris; daughters, Terri (Scott) Cook-Thielen of Atlantic, Sarah Olsen of Atlantic, and Barb (Mike) Andrews of Fort Collins, CO; grandchildren, Matthew Thielen of Ankeny, Andrew Thielen of Brayton, Travis Olsen of Anita, Erin Olsen of Atlantic, Jake Olsen of Atlantic, Shae Brink of Fort Collins, CO, Mikaela Andrews of Fort Collins, CO, and Ethan Andrews of Fort Collins, CO; sister, Harriet Cook LeMaster of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; sister-in-law, Jackie Guttenfelder of Atlantic; nieces and nephews, Katie LeMaster of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Ted LeMaster of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Doug (Teresa) Guttenfelder of Atlantic, and Susan Briseno of Atlantic; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Nellie Cook; parents-in-law, Ray and Mildred Guttenfelder; and brothers-in-law, Ron Guttenfelder and E.B. (Ebbie) LeMaster.

Visitation with the family will be held prior to the service on Saturday, March 18th, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at Roland Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Dick's Life will he held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 18th, at the First United Presbyterian Church in Atlantic. Inurnment, with military honors by the Atlantic Color Guard, will be held in the Atlantic Cemetery.

The family prefers memorials be made to the First United Presbyterian Church or the Heritage House Good Samaritan Fund.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Dick's family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com

IN REMEMBRANCE

Richard “Dick” COok

BORN
November 23, 1932 - Fort Dodge, Iowa

ENTERED INTO REST
March 14, 2017 ~ Atlantic, Iowa

AT THE AGE OF
84 Years, 3 Months, and 19 Days

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 18, 2017
First United Presbyterian Church - Atlantic, Iowa

OFFICIATING
Reverend Rachelle McCalla

ORGANIST
Carolyn DeLay

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“The Navy Hymn”

“The Church’s One Foundation” by Congregation

“Ring of Fire” recorded by Johnny Cash
(This was Dick’s favorite song. Over the years the playing of it became a family tradition; always being played when the family gathered.)

“Iowa Fight Song”

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Grandchildren
Matthew Thielen
Andrew Thielen
Travis Olsen
Erin Olsen
Jake Olsen
Shae Brink
Mikaela Andrews
Ethan Andrews

COMMITTAL SERVICE
Atlantic Cemetery - Atlantic, Iowa

MILITARY HONORS
Atlantic Color Guard
Taps by Justice Simpson

The family appreciates your presence today in celebrating Dick’s life.
They invite you to join them at the Atlantic Golf and Country Club for
additional sharing of memories and continued celebration of Dick’s life.