Fred Cook

[Dick Steinkamp]

My good friend Fred Cook passed away on June 27th.

Many of you know Fred or have traded parts with him. He was an enthusiastic "truck guy". He had a unique stable of old trucks including a Republic, a Brockway, and an FWD.

His Studebaker project was a "phantom" Commander powered M5 pickup...a truck Fred thought Studebaker SHOULD HAVE made. His was being constructed using and M16 cab (with the indented firewall to accept the Commander motor) and a floor shifted T86 with overdrive that Gord Richmond recently put together for him.

Fred loved most the camaraderie that came with the old truck hobby. It was one of his many ways of meeting new friends. Anybody that met Fred or that even corresponded with him was a friend for life. He was that kind of guy.

Fred was a kind, generous, upbeat, and interesting man. He was just fun to be around. I will miss him terribly.

Dick Steinkamp

[BobPalma]

Sorry to hear that, Dick. Had he been ill, or did this come up suddenly and unexpectedly?

'Hope he got far enough along on that Commander-powered M5 that someone will be able to finish it as Fred would have liked. It sounds like an interesting piece. BP

[railway]

Dang, I was sure glad to see Fred again in Az. Had hope to get to his place latter this year. I will miss him. He was a great friend.

[Dick Steinkamp]

Sorry to hear that, Dick. Had he been ill, or did this come up suddenly and unexpectedly?

'Hope he got far enough along on that Commander-powered M5 that someone will be able to finish it as Fred would have liked. It sounds like an interesting piece. BP

Fred had a history of heart trouble, but I think we all thought he would just keep dodging the bullets. I spoke with him on the phone Thursday evening and he was his usual chipper self, but he experienced another heart attack on Friday that was just too much for him.

[Dick Steinkamp]

Dang, I was sure glad to see Fred again in Az. Had hope to get to his place latter this year. I will miss him. He was a great friend.

Ebon,
I'll always remember the Spokane International Meet. The three of us...you, Fred and I...bunked at my Aunt and Uncle's place while they were in Alaska. We sure had fun!

[gordr]

Sad news indeed. Fred will certainly be missed. One of the nicest gentlemen you could ever hope to meet.

[candbstudebakers]

I talked to Fred in Glendale and sure glad now I did, he looked good and sounded even better that day, we had a short talk about Studebakers in general and how he felt, one never knows, I could name about 10 people I would rather see go than Fred, but that is life, you will be missed Fred...Bob

[Bob Andrews]

I add my condolences as well. I never met Mr. Cook, and it's clear I missed out. Once again reminds us of what's important and what isn't.

Does anyone have a picture of Mr. Cook to post?