(LibertySociety.com) – Roger Cook, the beloved landscaping expert on PBS’s This Old House for nearly 40 years, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 70 after a long battle with illness as confirmed by his family.
Cook’s family shared the news on social media, with one of his children writing, “Saddened to announce that God called dad home this week. 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.” The post also included a link to a GoFundMe page, asking those who wished to honor Cook’s memory to donate to a family foundation supporting wildlife conservation, medical research, and other causes that were dear to him.
Cook was a familiar face on This Old House for 38 years. He joined the show in 1982 and became a full-time cast member in 1988, where he shared his extensive knowledge of landscaping and gardening with viewers. He was also the founder of K&R Tree and Landscape Company, which he started with his wife, Kathleen, in 1982 marking the beginning of his career in landscaping.
A close friend and co-owner of K&R Landscaping, Fred Pendleton, remembered Cook fondly, saying, “You could ask Roger any question about any plant — whether it was about surviving in the shade, treating diseases, or choosing the right plants for a backyard — and he knew the answer. He even knew all the Latin names.”
Cook had to step away from the show in 2020 due to health issues but remained a cherished figure in the landscaping community. He was a member of the Massachusetts Arborist Association and served on the boards of New England Grows and the Association of Landscape Contractors of Massachusetts continuing his contributions to the field.
His obituary highlighted Cook’s humility, despite his long television career and many accomplishments. It stated, “One would think that being on television for almost four decades, receiving an Emmy Award for lifetime achievement in 2022, and having over 30,000 Twitter followers might go to someone’s head, but Roger always remained true to who he was — kind, passionate, and humble.”
Roger Cook is survived by his son Jason, his daughter Molly, and his three grandchildren, Peter, Noah, and James. He was predeceased by his wife, Kathleen, in 2010. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that people plant a tree in their community to honor his commitment to the environment.
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