Robert Alan Cook – aka Bob, Uncle Bob, UB or Yoo-Bee – died peacefully in the presence of loved ones in his home in Palo Alto, CA on Friday, June 27, 2025 at the time – appropriately for a mathematician – of 3:14:15 pm at the age of 86.

He was born on November 11, 1938 in St. Louis, MO at Jewish Hospital to Katherine S Cook (d.) and Harold S Cook (d.).

He received his Bachelors of Arts in Mathematics from Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio in 1960, a Masters of Science in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1961, and a Doctor of Science in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science from Washington University in St Louis, MO in 1966.

In 1973, Bob began his professional career at SLAC – now also known as the SLAC National Accelerator Center – and retired in 2005 as a Computer Systems Specialist.

He volunteered for 18 years supporting victims of domestic violence, most notably as a guide who helped victims appearing in family court understand the legal system and the language of the court so they could make informed decisions.

Bob also volunteered at the annual regional US Department of Energy’s Regional Science Bowl for Middle and High School students, who compete in teams to solve STEM problems. Regional winners go on to compete in the National Science Bowl (NSB) finals in Washington DC.

Bob played Trivial Pursuits with fellow enthusiasts from SLAC, and continued playing throughout his retirement in person on Wednesdays; during and post-Pandemic he often played via Zoom.

Bob is survived by brother Charles J Cook, sister-in-law Barbara Z Cook, first cousins once-removed Amy Biegelsen and Sara Biegelsen, nieces Sally Kiehnau and Wendy Cook, nephew Bill Cook, and niece-in-law Cindy Cook, in addition to several grand nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to CORA – Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse – in San Mateo County, CA, in tribute to Robert (Bob) Cook.