SLINGERLANDS — Robert A. Cook died peacefully and with his wife, Susan Y. Cook, at his side, on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020, at Albany Medical Center from complications of COVID-19. He was 94.

He was the son of the late Kenneth and Harriet (née Coughtry) Cook. “Bob was born, raised, and spent most of his life on the beloved family farm on Font Grove Road,” his family wrote in a tribute.

“He joined the Navy and attended Middlebury College with hopes of becoming a pilot, but then transferred to and graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute once the pilot-training program was discontinued. Professionally Bob worked as an engineer for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation where he could study, repair and plan for the future of New York’s varied and treasured waterways.

“This lifetime fascination and dedication was shared with his children and extended family at Font Grove where a pond Bob built became the source of summertime fun for generations. As an adult, it was the Hudson River — from its source in Newcomb, New York to its magnificence alongside Manhattan — that intrigued him most.

“Bob loved his family and his farm, but in later life and with his wife, Susan, by his side he took up song-writing, tap dancing, sailing, and bike riding — especially in midtown Manhattan on Sunday mornings.”

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Robert A. Cook is survived by his wife of 47 years, Susan Yager Cook; by his daughters, Christine and Leslie (Robert Westphal); by his son, Stephen (Christine Marmo); by his grandchildren, Elisabeth Johnson (Daniel) and Roberta Sutton (Chris Kelly); and by his great-grandchildren, Franny, Finbar, and Jem.

Bob’s family would like to sincerely thank Seeta, Sue, Sunny, and Colleen for their help at home and the entire staff of M4 at Albany Medical Center for their care during the most difficult of times.

There will be a celebration of Bob’s life at a future time.

Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Robert A. and Susan Y. Cook Fund, care of The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, 2 Tower Place, Albany, NY 12203.