Fans of the long-running PBS series This Old House are mourning the loss of Roger Cook , a landscape contractor who was part of the show for nearly 40 years. Cook died on August 21 following an extended illness at the age of 70.
Cook, who joined the home improvement show in its second season in 1982, stepped away from TOH in 2020 due to health issues. His death was announced in a post on his Instagram account on Thursday, August 22.
"Saddened to announce that God called dad home this week," the caption read. "He will leave a void in our lives that can never be filled but we find solace knowing he is finally at peace after a long, determined struggle with illness.If you are interested in honoring dad’s legacy, consider donating to one of his last wishes- a family foundation set up to fund nonprofit work in wildlife and land conservation, medical research and other areas that were close to dad’s heart. We are forever grateful for the love the TOH fan base showed dad over the years."
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In the comments, fans expressed their sadness over Cook's passing.
"The love my 4 year old son has for Roger is immense. Watching Roger Cook when I was younger with my dad brought us so much joy and then watching my son fall in love with yardwork and landscaping and weed eaters and lawn mowers through Roger was a magical thing. It helped grow his love for something that my dad loved and I’ll be forever grateful for Roger for doing that for me and my family I’m so sorry for your loss," wrote one Instagram user.
"Roger was a pillar of the DIY community and touched the lives of millions of people across the world. Couldn’t have asked for a better ambassador than Roger Cook. RIP to a legend and true gentleman. He will be gravely missed," commented a second person.
According to the This Old House website, Cook's "love of the outdoors was a constant throughout his life." He considered a career in forestry while working with local landscape and tree firms during college, eventually founding K&R Landscape with his wife Kathleen in 1982. What started out as "one Jeep pulling a trailer full of lawn-care equipment" became a "full-service landscape construction firm" that's still in business today.
Cook is survived by his son Jason , daughter Molly , brother Greg , daughter-in-law Anna , and three grandsons— Peter , Noah , and James . His wife, Kathleen died from cancer in 2010.
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