Edmund D. Cook III

The eldest son of Edmund Jr. and Katharine Mayor Cook. Born in Princeton N.J., as a young boy Edmund Dunham Cook III lived next door to Albert Einstein. Often being pushed on his bicycle by Dr Einstein. Ed grew up in the Princeton area and attended school at the Admiral Farragut Academy (of which he would often escape into the wilds of New Jersey) before enlisting with the Navy in World War II. He served in Pensacola, Florida. Once hitchhiking across the entire country to California while on leave. He told us “No one would pass a man in uniform needing a ride”. At the end of the war, he entered Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Co. He received his B.A. degree in political science, class of 1951. While in Colorado, Ed took up skiing, hiking and exploring the open spaces and mountains of the west in his 1930 Pierce-Arrow. He then returned to Princeton to work for his father's real estate company.
In March of 1952, he married Susanne Washington Mathews of Wheeling, West Virginia in Colorado Springs, Co. They moved to Los Angeles, California. Where Ed worked with the real estate firm of Previews, Inc. and later opened the Denver office of Previews. At that time, they moved to the Chicago area where he joined the real estate division of the Northern Trust Co. While in Chicago, his first son Geoffrey P. Cook was born, May 1954.
The Family transferred back to Denver, Co. where twin daughters Margret and Jennifer R. Cook were born, Oct. 1955. Unfortunately, Margret passed away shortly after birth.
From there, Ed took a position with Atlantic Richfield's real estate arm, in Pittsburgh PA. However, Ed had a longing to be in the west, so he moved to Salt Lake City and took a position as chief appraiser for the Utah State Highway Dept (later UDOT). His second son Michael W. Cook was born in Salt Lake March 1961. Ed and Susanne later divorced in June of 1966.
After leaving the Highway Dept. Ed opened a brokerage firm, Cook- Johns Real-estate. He also held brokerage licenses in three western states. Later he focused primarily on appraisal work for clients such as the Rockefeller foundation who donated large parcels of land to the National Park Service, Teton Park. He became the President of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers, Utah Chapter, A member of the Society of Residential Appraisers, The National Association of Real Estate Boards and held the elite designation as an MAI Appraiser.
Above all, Ed had a passion for the great outdoors. Numerous Jeep trips to the mountains and deserts along with exploring Lake Powell when it was filling. He made great efforts introducing his children to nature and adventure., Ed took his kids somewhere (usually remote) almost every weekend. All the while making it look easy (Before cell phones, GPS or anything) by making sure the kids had plenty to eat and drank lots of “Belly wash”.
He was an active member of the Wasatch Mountain Club. Ski trips, river trips and lots of back packing. This is where he met his soul mate, Barbara Jean Healey Brown. As they discovered their mutual interests in travel, adventure, love for nature, and each other, they were married in November of 1971 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
In the early 90's, Ed and Barb retired. Sold their home on G street in Salt Lake and moved into a motorhome to chase adventure. This took them from the tip of the Baja to Alaska (four times). Newfoundland to Key West, and everywhere in between. In later years they settled down in Murray, Utah.
As Edward Abby put it best “Somewhere between the depths of solitude and freedom lay the trap of madness. There are places so beautiful they can make a grown man break down and weep.”
Our father showed us so much of this wonderful land and how to appreciate it. He is at peace now, on that long dirt road in the sky, looking for the perfect camp spot for the night. Farewell Dad. Hayduke does live.
Ed is survived by his wife Barbara, sons Geoff (Lynda, Parker and Nick) Michael (Dana, Alexandria, Skylar, step kids, Beau, Taylor, Derek, Mackenzie, and Haley Scott) and daughter Jennifer.
A special Thanks to Inspiration Home Health & Hospice for their wonderful care of our father in his last days.
A celebration of life will be held at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah on August 8th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Guests are encouraged to park on the north parking lot.