Francis Neal "Frank" Cooke, Jr.

Francis Neal "Frank" Cooke, Jr. died October 18, 2008, at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend after a lengthy battle with lung disease.

Frank was born September 8, 1942, in Spartanburg, South Carolina to Mary B. Cooke and Dr. Francis Neal Cooke. He attended school in Coral Gables, Florida, where he was a Florida state doubles champion in tennis. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida and a Master's and Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Miami.

After serving in the U.S. Army, his career in physics took him across the country. Frank held several patents in optical physics and worked on the "Star Wars" program during President Reagan's administration. He retired to Sisters in 1995 where he enjoyed camping, boating, fishing, traveling, classical music and his special love, astronomy. He also loved talking on the telephone to his many friends across the country.

During retirement, Frank consulted on a professional basis with many colleagues. A man of diverse talents, he wrote a computer program, "Knots," which is still acknowledged today as one of the finest programs ever written. Years later, this program is still used by the Boy Scouts of Australia, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and by those who have a love of boating, the art of the proper knot, and this essential knowledge in the safety of seamanship.

Frank is survived by Lorri Wells of Sisters, his love and partner of 18 years; his son, Frank "Neal" Cooke III of Loveland, Colorado; his sister, B.A. Cooke Puckett of St. Augustine, Florida; his niece Merrill Puckett Miller of Orlando, Florida; and his faithful dog, Maggie.

Frank's family and many friends will celebrate his life at a memorial to be held in late spring, high in the Colorado mountains where he and his mother and son spent many wonderful summers. As he wished, he will be laid to rest next to his mother and a blue spruce planted in his honor.

Submitted by the family of Frank Cooke Jr.