Events
Viewing
Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 S. Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84108Friday May 10, 2024 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Viewing
Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 S. Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84108Saturday May 11, 2024 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Funeral Service
Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 S. Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84108Saturday May 11, 2024 11:00 AM
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, Richard Ernest Cook, passed away at his home in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Richard was born on September 7, 1930, to Ernest William Cook and Clara Blackhurst, at his maternal grandparents’ home in Pleasant Grove, Utah, and spent the first 11 years of his life in rural Cedar Fort, Utah. He was the eldest of two sons. His younger brother, Gerald, joined the family eight years later.
Richard took great pride in the fact that he was raised in Cedar Fort, near many cousins and aunts and uncles. He said, “It was a wonderful place to live.” His father taught him how to ride a horse, set traps and develop his life-long love of hunting. He also taught Richard how to work and to always be honest. His mother was a school teacher, and Richard often remarked that, “School began when I came home and was taught by my mother.” He described her as “very loving and kind,” and credited her for instilling in him a love for the gospel of Jesus Christ and learning.
Richard started his formal education in a two-room schoolhouse in Cedar Fort. There were three other classmates in his grade. He enjoyed listening to the lessons taught to the older children when he had finished his own work. Education became a priority for Richard, and he graduated from American Fork High School as the “Representative Boy,” was valedictorian of his class at Brigham Young University, and top of his class in Naval Officer Candidate School.
During his junior year at Brigham Young University, on September 13, 1950, Richard married his high school sweetheart, Clea Searle, in the Salt Lake Temple. The Cooks soon became proud “Michiganders,” eventually settling in Michigan after five years in California, and raising their four children, Susan, Janalee, Sharon and Richard in Livonia and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Richard had a great love for the United States of America. After completing his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting at BYU in 1952, Richard served for three years in the Navy during the Korean Conflict as the Communications Officer on the destroyer USS Doyle. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, he finished an MBA at Northwestern University in 1957, and began a 35-year career with Ford Motor Company. He retired from Ford in 1992 as the company’s General Assistant Controller. He loved Ford, and often said, “There wasn’t a day that I didn’t enjoy going to work.”
In 1984, Clea passed away following a two-year battle with cancer. Four years later, on July 16, 1988, Richard married Mary Nielsen in the Salt Lake Temple.
In 1994, Richard and Mary accepted a call from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to serve as humanitarian missionaries in Mongolia, where Richard worked with the Minister of Finance and Mary taught Special Education at The Teachers College. About a year into their mission, he was called as the first mission president of the newly created Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Mission of the Church.
Richard served faithfully in many capacities in the Church, including stake presidency counselor, bishop, stake mission president, stake Young Men president, missionary, and teacher. In 1997, he was called to serve as a General Authority Seventy of the Church. He was a member of the Presidency of the Asia Area from 1997 to 2001. After his release as a Seventy in 2001, Richard and Elder John K. Carmack, Emeritus Seventy, were called by Church President Gordon B. Hinckley to help establish the Church’s Perpetual Education Fund. Richard served as Chief Financial Officer of the Fund from 2001 to 2012.
On October 13, 2023, the President of Mongolia awarded him the Order of the Polar Star presented in a special ceremony by His Excellency Batbayar Ulziidelger, Ambassador to the United States from Mongolia. The Order of the Polar Star is Mongolia’s highest honor given to a foreign citizen. The award was given to Richard for his service to the people of Mongolia, where he assisted in updating the country’s accounting standards to meet international financial standards, and for his efforts to establish the Richard E. Cook Mongolian Educational Endowment at BYU-Hawaii, providing scholarships for hundreds of young adults from Mongolia to study at the university.
Throughout his life, Richard cared for and mentored many people. He expressed love freely, demanded and rewarded best efforts and hard work, and was generous with his time and resources, often privately and anonymously. He was a three-time cancer survivor, receiving excellent care from the physicians and staff at Huntsman Cancer Institute. He loved to ski, play golf, tennis and gin, and was physically active until the final days of his life. His favorite activity was spending time with his family.
Richard loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and often testified of its truth. In his words, “The gospel works! I have experienced how sweet and precious the gospel is and I couldn’t live a day without it. I pray that my own children will always understand the importance of the gospel and that they will raise their children in the Light of Christ.”
Richard is survived by his wife, Mary, his brother Gerald (Shirley) Cook, his four children, Susan Pinegar (Kevin), Janalee Leavitt (Kent), Sharon Williams (Richard) and Richard William Cook (Kelly), as well as 17 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Clea.
A public viewing will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 pm, and Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 9:30 to 10:45 am. A funeral service will follow the viewing on May 11, 2024, beginning at 11:00 am. Both viewings and the funeral services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 South Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. Interment will be in the American Fork Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Richard E. Cook Mongolian Educational Endowment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at https://donate.churchofjesuschrist.org/contribute, account number 30287033.
You may watch a recording of the service by clicking the "Watch Services" button above.
Video
Guestbook/Condolences
Our family sends our condolence to Elder Cook's families!
Elder Cook contributed much to this world. One of his contributions was that he and Sister Cook quietly set up at the Marriott School of Management a scholarship, of which I was a recipient. When the Cooks came to the Marriott School to participate in the NAC meeting, I had the opportunity to thank them for their generosity. However, the words couldn't express all my gratitude as I was striving much as a graduate student and a young father with the first baby. Before I graduated from the BYU MBA Program, Elder Cook was assigned as my career mentor.
During the very first mentor-mentee visit, Elder Cook said to me, "I am very serious about this mentoring relationship. I want you to keep me updated on your career and life, and I will always be available to you." I was a bit surprised by his comments, as I didn't expect that at all. Sister Cook who sat by him nodded, "Yes, that's very typical of Richard. He likes to keep his word." Oh yes, sure he kept his words. Over the years, Elder Cook took many hours to meet with me either in person or on the phone to provide his advice. I vividly remember the time I visited him with my wife at his homes in Park City and in Salt Lake City. My wife told me that she met many of my friends, but she has always remembered Elder Cook because he was kind to us. On a very hot summer afternoon, I met Elder Cook again in his home, confessing to him how unsure I was about certain career choices and requesting a priesthood blessing from him. He gladly agreed but asked me to wait for him. To my awe, a few minutes later, he came back to the room, fully dressed up. He explained that by dressing the Sunday best, he wanted to show his reverence and respect to God when exercising the priesthood power given by Him...
As I read through the many text messages between Elder Cook and me over the past six years, I couldn't help but feel very sad about the departure of a great mentor and a great friend. Yet I also felt a sense of responsibility as Elder Richard E. Cook has left me a legacy of love, care, and giving. And I have no choice but to follow his examples and give forward.
Ah Mary, we are so very sorry for your loss. What a time you had with a wonderful man in Richard. We had such a good time with the two of you at the Nielsen family reunion. He was a giant in the gospel of Jesus Christ and such a wonderful example to all he came in contact with. We love you very much.
Dear Mary , I am so sad to read of Richard’s passing. He was a special person. I loved working with him at PEF. This was a great opportunity which Richard made possible for us!. Richard was such a brilliant man. His incredibly keen intellect was a pleasure to observe. He was loved and will be missed by so many, Much love to you . Afyon
Elder Cook was an example, a mentor, and a friend. We will be forever grateful for his friendship and goodness. The ten years working with him with the Perpetual Education Fund were highlights of my career. We were blessed to visit with him on his last birthday and were delighted when the temple in Mongolia was announced a few weeks later. He will be missed. Our prayers are with you, Mary.
We are currently serving a mission in Palmyra and unfortunately will not be able to attend the funeral in person, I but we will be watching on the link.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sorry I could not be there.
Mary:
Mary and I send out very vest wishes and condolences to you and family. Have always loved the friendship and special times enjoyed with both you and Dick from our early days in Michigan. Especially enjoyed Dick's repartee when we were together - Ford vs GM.
He accomplished a great deal throughout his life and has moved on for more to do.
Alan & Mary
Hyosun and I are saddened to hear the news.
Our deepest condolence to the Cook Family.
Dear Mary,
I am Carl Sticht's mother and often remind him that I met you and President Cook before he did! He returned from Mongolia on the Sunday right after President was sustained as a Seventy. We went right from the airport to your Salt Lake apartment for a mission reunion! That was an exciting weekend for all of us! It is thrilling to know that the Saints in Mongolia will soon have a temple! I remember being in your Park City home when President Cook promised Carl's Mongolian language teacher that her son would live to see a temple in Mongolia! (I'm sorry I don't remember her name.) May God forever bless you and your family for the many wonderful and good things you and President Cook have done. With much love, Dyan
P.S. I am making a little booklet for Carl that will have all of the General Conference talks that both of you have given.
Our love and prayers are with Mary and her family. Richard was such great man of dedication and service to the Lord. We will be watching the zoom services from Boise.
Hi Mary,
Sorry for your loss, thinking of you today. Memories of your bright love and joy in the Park City Ward fills my heart, and Richard's comments in Gospel Doctrine are truly missed, his passion, his love and strength in and for the gospel is so admired and felt with each word he gave either in class or from the pulpit in Sacrament Meeting, such a pillar of strength are both of you to all. Such a blessing to be in your presence. Love running into you at the temple from time to time, sending love your way.
Tamara Driggs, Preston Driggs, Colten Stephens
We are so sorry for your loss. Richard was a great man and will truly be missed by all. We were lucky to know him.
Mary,
My heartfelt condolences on your loss of Richard. He was such a kind man, ready with a smile and handshake each time we met. I pray your many happy years and memories together sustain you in this difficult time.
Dear Mary,
I hope you receive this text. This is Greg Robinson writing to you from our mission home in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). Robin and I saw the Church News article announcing Richard’s passing. I have been thinking of you and him ever since. We send our love at this tender time. We morn with you the passing of this great man, and celebrate with you the impact he has had for good on so many.
He was my bishop when I was a deacon, and taught me the importance of making and keeping covenants with God. He taught me to honor the Priesthood, and to magnify my callings, to always be worthy, to repent often and quickly. He was an example to me of absolute integrity when I needed it most because of my father’s poor choices.
He exemplified high love and high expectations — principles Elder Neil L. Andersen has taught to mission leaders since 2016.
It was one of my greatest honors and privileges to serve as your stake president. I love him. I respect and revere him. I have tried to pattern my life after him. He was a true mentor, a role model, a friend, a father figure.
Outside of family members (e.g., my grandfather George Romney and Uncles Scott and Mitt), Richard Cook and David Bennion (my mission president) have had a more significant and enduring impact on my life than any other men.
His friendship and mentorship lasted for over 50 years, and continues today as Robin and I strive to lead the new Abidjan North Mission the way you and Richard led your mission in Mongolia.
Thank you for the link to this talk when he was awarded the Mongolian Polar Star. It is priceless. I agree, one of his finest hours.
We have a district conference this weekend, with meetings or ministering visits all day, so we won’t be able to watch the services live. But we would love to watch on delay at another time if that is possible. Please send us whatever coordinates are necessary to do that.
We are grateful that you are surrounded by family and friends who love you. You are beloved by many. We among them. We pray for the sustaining influence of the Holy Ghost to be upon you and the family.
I thank my Heavenly Father for the profound blessing of Richard E. Cook and his family. He has slipped the surly bonds of this life and passed into a better one, where he has rejoined loved ones there and awaits his eventual reunion with loves ones left behind. May we all endure well to the end, as he did, that we too may merit celestial glory.
With love and admiration,
Greg
Mary, the Service today was so wonderful. It gave us a glimpse of what a great man Richard truly is. we sent money to his Mongolian Endowment Fund. Look forward to seeing you soon❤️
President Cook was one of the greatest men. I never had an opportunity to meet him but know that he helped hundreds of Mongolian students who attended and have attended BYU HI with their tuitions. We will never forget what he has done for our country. His legacy will live on in Mongolia.
Many many years ago, I lived in Michigan and Richard Ernest Cook was a counsellor in the Bishopric of the Ward and he and Clea served many people of varying personality types,income levels and abilities and I have been greatly blessed by the service which was given to myself and my family by so many fine leaders-Susan was a little redhead and there was another little redhead, Gwen Jones Connors who was the wife of my younger son's Mission President of the Washington Kenniwick President
Foger Craig Connors
Thank you Richard Ernest Cook for long llife well lived with humor and service to others
Nandy D
r
Mary, I’m so sorry to hear of Richard’s passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Leslee Hintze (Wilson)
Dear Mary and Cook Family,
We have been notified about passing of Richard Cook from your friends in US and Mongolia. I was lucky to meet Richard and you in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia back in 1995 after your first arrival in Ulaanbaatar at your new home and having conversations about early status of democratic transition in Mongolia. He nicknamed me “a banker”, and later during his last meeting with three of you in Ulaanbaatar in 2022, kindly recalled it and devoted his precious time for me. Richard promised to come back to Mongolia if I would be baptized at the LDS church.
In my view, Richard remains one of the first highest ranking former executives from the USA ever lived and served in Mongolia long-term. I was happy to work with Richard on a small project, to conduct a background check of a new property for LDS church in Ulaanbaatar.
I fondly recall his wisdom, diligence, patience, amazing memory, determination for his mission and love of Mongolia.
Richard brought renewed beliefs, hopes, education and prosperity to thousands of youth and their families in Mongolia. I am sure his deeds will be remembered and carried on by his friends in Mongolia.
Your friend Bold Magvan and Family
04 June, 2024