Robert J. Cook

Robert J. “Bob” Cook, 66, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away at 10:40 a.m. on Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics after a courageous battle with liver disease. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, July 1, 2019 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 2nd, 2019 at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Bob was born on May 18, 1953 at the Xavier Hospital in Dubuque; the son of James and Lucille “Dolly” (Lange) Cook. On July 15, 1972 he married the love of his life, Diane Engling at Sacred Heart Church in Dubuque, IA. They spent all of their time together, for 51 years.

Bob has worked his entire life in the auto body industry fixing wrecked cars, filing insurance claims and guiding people after auto accidents. Bob worked at Brimeyer Auto Body as the body shop manager for 19 years. He loved his work and his co-workers; it was his home away from home. For a brief period, he also worked at Farmland Packing House and Richardson Motors.

Bob enjoyed fixing cars, working in the garage, and playing “bones” with his doggie Charlie. He especially loved gambling, whether it was at a casino, pull tabs, lottery tickets or the Powerball. His favorite things in life were his wife Diane’s cooking, Pepsi and sweets. He enjoyed time with his grandkids and going to the casino with his son-in-law, Alex.

He is survived by his wife Diane; his children, Vickie (Alex) Eapen, Lynn (Michele) Chillook, Ann Cook, Bob (fiancé Christy) Cook, and Marie (significant other Jeff) Cook; grandchildren, Grace and Ellery Eapen, Aliana Miller and Freeman Chillook. His siblings Mark (Debbie) Cook, Patty (Bob) Kaesbauer and Phil (Cindy) Cook. His sister-in-law Marlene Cook and brother-in-law Jim Reilly. He is also survived by his in-laws Carlyn Root, Denise (Randy) Parsons, Ken (Tracy) Engling, Carl (Dianne) Engling, Helen DeAnda, Kevin Engling, Dave Engling, Vince (Thao) Engling, and Allen Engling; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Kay Reilly and Margie (Loren) Wood and his brother Jerry Cook. His father and mother-in-law Carl and Virginia Engling and brothers-in-law Felimon DeAnda and Mike Friedman.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics for all their care and comfort during Bob’s time with them.

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