EARTH DAY – Chelsea Christenson checks on her kids, Avery and Beckett, inside a whale costume prior to the annual Parade of Species. Dozens of participants marched from Totem Square to the Crescent Harbor Shelter dressed as their favorite animals. The event was hosted by Sitka Conservation Society, University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service and the Sitka Sound Science Center. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
By YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
Alaska is getting an infusion of nearly $125 million to build and [ ... ]
By DAVID A. LIEB
The Associated Press
A conservative quest to limit diversity, equity and inclusion in [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
With about a month left before the end of the regular [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The city will hold a public meeting Wednesday for pub [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
With only days to go before the statewide Native Yout [ ... ]
By Sentinel Staff
The Daily Sitka Sentinel and KCAW-FM Raven Radio won awards Saturday at the [ ... ]
By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
To address a surge in mental health problems among young Alaskans [ ... ]
By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
A bill passed Thursday by the Alaska House of Representatives wou [ ... ]
City to Conduct
Relay Testing
The city electric department is conducting systemwide relay testing th [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Another lawsuit that has implications in Southeast Al [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Assembly on Tuesday will consider final reading o [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
Competing in their first home games of the season, Si [ ... ]
By YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
Citing what they characterized as unacceptable risks to wildlife [ ... ]
By YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
The Yup’ik village of Newtok, perched precariously on thawing permafro [ ... ]
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
April 19
A dispute between a boss and a con [ ... ]
Kenneth Nielsen Sr.
Dies in Sitka at 72
Lifelong Sitka resident Kenneth Nielsen Sr., 72, died Sunday n [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
Significant staffing cuts are likely in Sitka’s scho [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Assembly at a special meeting Thursday improved t [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
From solar flares, to black holes, comets and shootin [ ... ]
By ARIADNE WILL
Sentinel Staff Writer
At its regular meeting Wednesday, the Planning Commission [ ... ]
By NATHANIEL HERZ
Northern Journal
The Alaska Senate has proposed a new aid package for the sta [ ... ]
By CLAIRE STREMPLE and
JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
Over the last 26 years, Penelope Gold has used [ ... ]
HOME OPENER - Sitka’s Sadie Saline runs after hitting what became a two-run triple against Thu [ ... ]
Daily Sitka Sentinel
Ricky Lynn Cook
Ricky Lynn Cook, a 1968 graduate of Sitka High, died Dec. 17, 2017, at his home in Raymond, Wash., at the age of 67.
Ricky Lynn Cook
He was born July 25, 1950, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, oldest son of William Clyde and Thora Mae (Jolley) Cook.
He lived with his grandparents, Homer and Gladys Cook, during first grade in Sequim, Wash., and had fond memories of watching Gunsmoke on TV and sneaking downstairs for candy.
He also went to elementary schools in Port Angeles, Forks and Everett, Wash. Most of his pre-teen and teen years were spent in logging camps in Southeast Alaska, and he attended Blatchley and Sitka High. He told many stories of growing up in Sitka and how he enjoyed the people there.
In 1968 he entered the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Ulhman DD-687 and the USS Chicago CG-11. He received three medals: National Defense Service, Vietnam Service and Republic, and Vietnam Service Campaign.
Released from active duty he was transferred to Naval Reserves in 1971-1974 with an honorable discharge.
In 1969, while on a leave, he met Kris Schott, a farm girl from Sequim, Wash. They married Dec. 4, 1971, and became the proud parents of two healthy boys, Tim and Ted.
Rick worked for numerous logging outfits in the Sequim area for about six years, then in 1977 moved to Menlo, Wash., where he continued logging and started in the heavy construction world.
After 20 years of marriage Rick and Kris took a short break, divorced in 1992 only to remarry in 1999.
A co-worker said, “Rick was a man’s man, the John Wayne of my time. He was good at everything, most enjoyable to work with, there was no quit in the man.”
“He brought joy and laughter to the workplace along with an incredible talent to accomplish most difficult tasks,” another co-worker said.
“He was smart, he was funny, a great crane operator and a natural leader.”
He owned and operated a truck butchering business for five years in the ’80s, with his boys’ and wife’s help.
After retiring in 2010, he continued his adventures and bought a Harley Davidson, fished mainly in the Willapa and hunted in Eastern Washington with his band of brothers. He bought and worked on his own man cave in the house next door, where he enjoyed time with his buddies.
He had traveled to 48 states, enjoyed foraging for mushrooms, rock hounding, golfing, boating, or just watching old westerns while keeping an eye on the neighborhood or trying to take naps while the kids played in the back yard.
He filled every room he entered, not just with his size but his ability to put all at ease. He gave of himself to all who knew him; if something needed fixing or someone needed help, he was there, asked or not!” his family said.
His greatest heartbreak was the loss of his two dear sons, Timothy Neal and Tedy William, in 2008.
Rick also was preceded in death by his youngest brother, Timothy W. Cook, and his mom, Tootie, who died in 1999.
Those left to cherish his memory are his grandchildren, Sabrina and Cole, (Ted’s children) and Mariah (Tim’s daughter) and her mother Marisa; brother Charles W. Cook; his wife, Kris; his father, William Clyde; Auntie Sheralyn; and an extended family, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and friends who gave him joy and companionship.
Rick didn’t want a funeral, memorial or celebration of life service. “I have already celebrated my life with those I know and those I love,” he said.
His ashes will be scattered at his requests. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations in his name to a local home health, hospice service or Helping Hands. Condolences and cards may be sent to 5706 School St. Raymond, WA 98577.
Login Form
20 YEARS AGO
April 2004
Classified Homes for Sale: 3-bdrm, 3-bath Swan Lake home on 33,000 sq.ft. lot. In-town location. Mother-in-law apartment, garage/shop, office/study. $340,000.
50 YEARS AGO
April 1974
From On the Go: Margaret Fanning pointed out this is one of the rare years that Russian Orthodox Easter on the Gregorian calendar coincides with that of other Christian churches, that go by the Julian calendar. Which simplifies scheduling Easter egg hunts but cuts in half the number of loaves of kulich we get.