Roger Cook, beloved among fans for starring on PBS’ iconic This Old House home improvement program for 40 years, died on Wednesday after an extended illness. He was 70 years-old.
Cook Passes Away
The folks at This Old House shared the sad news.
“Roger was our much-loved colleague, treasured by the entire This Old House community for his soft-spoken but no-nonsense approach to every aspect of landscape contracting,” reads a statement shared on the This Old House website. “He was always there with the answers we needed.”
Cook joined This Old House all the way back in 1982 during the show’s second season. Indeed, in 1988, he was promoted to cast member/garden and landscape contractor. He sadly had to step away from This Old House in 2022 due to health issues.
“I have enjoyed the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion for landscaping,” Cook said as he left the show. “And my life has been greatly enriched by the professional relationships and friendships I’ve formed over the years.”
“I truly appreciate our fans’ dedication and the concern for my well-being,” he continued. “Rest assured that I am in good hands, and please know that I am grateful for all of your support.”
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Cook’s History
Born in Biddeford, Maine, Cook began working in landscaping part-time during the summers of his high school years. That summer job set him on the path he would take later in life.
He then earned a Bachelor of Science in wildlife management and conservation law from the University of Maine.
Cook later founded K&R Tree and Landscaping in 1982 with his wife Kathleen. Indeed, he operated this business for over forty years.
“Roger’s specialty and passion was plants, and no one was more knowledgeable,” said Fred Pendleton, Cook’s longtime friend and now co-owner of K&R Landscape with colleague Tom Pica. “You could ask Roger any question about any plant—which ones would survive shade, how to treat diseases, which perennials or annuals to choose, the best woody plants or deciduous trees for a certain backyard, even the Latin names for everything—and he knew it.”
“Everything I know I learned from Roger,” added Pica. “He was one of the greatest people you want to know…he worked hard, and we often worked 10 hours a day, six days a week. He absolutely believed that if you were going to do something, you should do it properly, whatever it took.”
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This Old House Colleagues Pay Tribute To Cook
Various colleagues of Cook’s on This Old House also spoke out to honor him in the wake of his death.
“Roger was very kind, built up a good company, and knew so much about everything in the yard from lawns to stone walls. It was clear how knowledgeable he was and that he was a true arborist,” said TOH master carpenter Norm Abram
“Roger was a great guy, always the first to get down and dirty in the mud. Whatever had to get done, he got it done. There was never a problem and he always had a positive outlook. He will be missed dearly,” stated TOH general contractor Tom Silva.
Meanwhile, This Old House host Kevin O’Connor paid tribute to Cook as well.
“We lost a brother today. A big-hearted, larger-than-life brother who was as kind as he was generous,” O’Connor said. “I’ll miss his smile and his friendship terribly.”
“I remember every lesson from Roger,” concluded TOH executive producer Chris Wolfe. “More importantly, there are millions of people whose lives have been enriched by everything Roger taught them.”
Cook is survived by two children and three grandsons. He was predeceased by his wife Kathleen, who sadly died of cancer back in 2010.
Rest in peace, Roger Cook.
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