ProRodeo Sports News - May 15, 2020

TIME CAPSULE BOB COOK Cooking up a Storm

Bob Cook found success in every aspect of rodeo BY MATT NABER B ob Cook was a cowboy with a lot of hats. He also was a cowboy with a lot of buckles, having won one in every event

except steer roping.

Cook, who was also a real estate broker, held a full deck of cards within the PRCA. He had membership cards as a contestant, announcer, secretary, rodeo producer and stock contractor. “I think rodeos are my hobby as well as my occupation,” Cook wrote on a PRCAmembership form in 1958. “When I’m not contesting, I usually am looking for a way to improve or advance rodeos. Most of my ideas are as yet unused, but perhaps in the future I will be able to do some of them.” Little did he know how right he was. on July 10, 1932, and began his ProRodeo career at 17 years old in 1949. He went on to win the all- around at the first major rodeo held in Honolulu in 1965 and competed at the 1966 National Finals Rodeo as a team roping heeler. Some of his biggest wins include: • All-around: Molalla, Ore. (1960) • Bareback riding: Oakdale, Calif. (1960); Reno, Nev. (1963); Redding, Calif. (1963) • Bull riding: Cody, Wyo. (1955); Redding, Calif. (1958) THE COMPETITOR Cook was born to H.P. and Jewel Cook in Lamb County, Texas, THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSMAN Cook married Nancy Pennington in December 1958. They had two daughters, Cathy Cook and Bobbie Cook-Pearle. Rodeo was a family business for the Cooks, with Nancy as secretary and their daughters performing opening

Ben Allen photo Bob Cook won buckles in every event except steer roping. Pictured above is Cook riding Zorro in Lehi, Utah, in 1964.

ProRodeo Sports News 5/15/2020

ProRodeo.com

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