Roger Cook, a gardener and landscape contractor, was a television personality on the PBS home renovation program This Old House from 1988 until 2020.
Unfortunately, he lost his life due to his unspecified extended health issues at 70 on August 21, 2024.
Highlights
- Roger Cook joined This Old House in 1988 but reduced his role in June 2018 due to unspecified health issues.
- Fans speculated different theories about his illness, but he pleaded for complete privacy regarding his health and family.
- Roger’s wife lost her life to cancer on December 1, 2010.
Roger Cook was a certified landscape contractor in Massachusetts and an active member of the Massachusetts Arborist Association.
He served on the board of directors of New England Grows and the Association of Landscape Contractors of Massachusetts.
He and his wife, Kathleen “Kathy” Ellen Gulde Cook, founded K & R Tree and Landscape Company in 1982.
The same year, he appeared in This Old House and contributed to projects like the Bigelow Ranch and the Woburn House.
Moreover, Roger contributed to Complete Landscaping as an editorial board of This Old House magazine.
Roger Cook Faced Significant Illness And Health Issues In Recent Years
Roger Cook became a full-time cast member of This Old House as its garden and landscape contractor in 1988, but he reduced his role due to unspecified health issues in June 2018.
Netizens came out with numerous theories about his illness, but he pleaded for complete privacy regarding his health and family.
With tremendous sadness and a lot of love, we announce the passing of our friend & longtime landscape contractor, Roger Cook. Our thoughts are with all who loved him and learned from him.https://t.co/erD7i3RKyt
— This Old House (@ThisOldHouse) August 23, 2024
Some sources also confirmed that he collapsed on the reality television set, but there wasn’t any solid proof. He was rumored to have a heart attack, whereas some believed he had cancer.
Fans even believed that he left the reality show to undergo treatment for his severe illness, which ordinarily takes a long time.
Roger’s wife passed away on December 1, 2010, after a long battle with cancer. She had a strong work ethic and founded Gulde Cook Insurance Agency.
Since then, he has continued to honor her memory while taking prevention for his health challenges.
On the other hand, the regular audience of This Old House noticed Roger limping, which led to speculation about Parkinson’s disease.
Son Jason, daughter Molly, three grandsons: Peter, Noah, and James, brother Greg, daughter-in-law Anna, close friends, and family in Burlington survive Roger.
Jason Cook has organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to honor his father’s legacy and to fund nonprofit work in wildlife and land conservation, medical research, and other areas close to Roger’s heart.
Neither his family nor the members of This Old House had talked about his illness and health conditions.
Additional Information
- Roger Cook, born in 1954, was the son of Arthur and Lucienne. He grew up with his brother in Woburn, Massachusetts, and Burlington.
- He graduated from Burlington High School in 1972 and received a Bachelor of Science in wildlife management and conservation law from the University of Maine in 1977.
- He also appeared on This Old House’s associated programs Ask This Old House and Inside This Old House.
