Richard Oliver Cook, VMD, passed away on February 20, 2017. He was 86.
Dr. Cook was born in Scranton, PA, to Audley Rexford Cook and Mary Oliver Cook. He was the devoted husband of 23 years to Bonnie DaLee Watts Cook, loving father of Susan Cook Dorsey and her husband Jeffrey, of Baltimore, MD, Richard Eric Cook and his wife Debra of Bel Air, MD, and step-father of Crickett Love Rayne and her husband Victor, of Salisbury, MD. He was the adored grandfather of Carly Dorsey, Ian Cook, Nicholas Cook and his wife Molly, and Holly Cook, all of Bel Air, MD. He was the brother of the late William E. Cook and Donald Cook.
Dr. Cook graduated from Central High School in Scranton, PA, in 1948, attended Keystone Junior College in 1949, East Strausburg State Teachers College in 1950 and 51. He received his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Dairy Husbandry from Penn State in 1952, and received his Veterinarian Medical Doctor Degree from University of Pennsylvania. He was a Veterinarian and owner of Bel Air Veterinarian Hospital, since 1958. Dr. Cook served several generations’ pets and farm animals, working right up until his death. He was a member of the Harford County Veterinary Medical Association, and a Life Member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Cook was an Eagle Scout and earned the Silver Palm. He was a Scout Master in State College, PA, and was a Merit Badge Examiner for over 50 years. He was an Official Measurer for the Boone and Crocket Club and the Pope and Young Club. Dr. Cook was a Benefactor of Long Branch Rifle Association and a Benefactor Member of the NRA, NRA Whittington Founders Club, NRA Golden Eagles, and the NRA Heritage Society and was a Certified NRA Instructor. He was also Director Emeritus of the Harford County Farm Fair, serving since the 1970’s.

He was a Life Member of the Isaac Walton League, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Cedar Gun Club, Maryland State Rifle and Pistol Association, North American Hunting Club, International Safari Club, and the Amateur Trap Shooting Association.

Dr. Cook was also a member of the Mt. Ararat Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, and he was a Boumi Shriner and a member of the Boumi Temple Mounted Patrol. He also was a member of Ducks Unlimited, the Farm Bureau, Past-President of The Harford County Riding Club, and once completed a 100 Mile Endurance Ride in Hot Springs, VA. He was an avid hunter and target shooter, and loved Big-Game Hunting in South Africa, Namibia, Argentina, Zimbabwe, Botswana, New Zealand and Alaska.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2017, from 1-3 and 5-9 PM, at Zellman Funeral Home, P.A., 123 South Washington Street, Havre de Grace, MD. Funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Shriner’s Childrens Hospitals, Boumi Temple, 5050 King Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21237.

Online condolences may be made at www.zellmanfuneralhome.com.