Jeffrey Elliot Cook, husband of Arlene Gottschalk, father of Eliya G. Cook and Rayna G. Cook, brother of Andrew Cook (Guil Hurst), brother of Melissa Cook (Amanda Smith), and brother-in-law of Bernice Gottschalk passed away on August 27, 2022 at age 65.
Jeffrey Elliot Cook was born on September 11, 1956 to Arnold and Ralene (Dennis) Cook. lthough he spent the first few years of his life at Andrews Air Force Base and in Chicago, most of his childhood and adolescence were spent in what would become his hometown of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
As a youth, he developed a real penchant for cars; not just make and model, but with a quick glance Jeff knew the year of pretty much any car from the 1950s forward, and he was more than happy to share that information with anyone nearby.
He began learning piano and playing in recitals at a young age, eventually earning a BA in composition from Temple University and later an MA in harpsichord performance from the University of Minnesota.
Music was his passion; science and copy editing became his profession. In Minnesota, he worked as a copy editor for scientific journals and an alternative newspaper. He returned to DC in 1993 and married Arlene Gottschalk. After moving to Maryland in 1994, he worked as a Senior Content Production Editor for the journal Science at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for almost 28 years.
He also edited dissertations and essays for friends and family, and had the great joy of editing the Virginia Edition of science fiction author Robert Heinlein’s complete works.
No matter how beloved music was, cars were, or his love of science and science fiction was, his greatest loves in life were Arlene, Rayna, and Eliya. He also loved the cats that were part of his family over the years. Jeff was a true and loyal friend who was always willing to help when needed.
Watching Jeopardy!, going to a trivia night, and watching Star Trek will not be the same without Jeff.
Jeff’s funeral was held Wednesday, August 31 at Temple Shalom, and he was buried at the Garden of Remembrance in Clarksburg, MD.
Donations in Jeff’s memory may be made to the ACLU, Temple Shalom in Chevy Chase MD, or the charity of your choice.
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