Cook a champion of coeliac and compassion
Excellence in hospitality and healthcare ran in the blood of medical allrounder Bram Cook, but it was his kind heart, compassion and fun-loving spirit that he will be remembered for.
The doctor’s life spanned four continents and left an enduring mark on the diagnosis and treatment of coeliac disease.
He was ‘‘every molecule a doctor,’’ his son-in-law David Murdoch said, and was admired by all. Born and raised in India, Cook was totally devoted to the public health system, and dedicated his life to helping others through his work, which led to his appointment as president of the New Zealand School of Gastroenterology.
He spent forty years of his working life at hospitals in Christchurch, with five years in London, England and Michigan, USA in the sixties.
Herbert Bramwell Cook died suddenly aged 81 on March 3. Nearly 600 former students, colleagues and patients packed into the funeral at the La Vida Centre. His legacy will live on through his wife and best friend of 58 years, Shirley, his children David, Lynley, Andrew and their partners, and his ten adored grandchildren.
Those who knew Cook said he was humble and passionate, a true gentleman who would go the extra mile. If his grandchildren expressed an interest in anything, no matter how niche, he would be off to borrow books and read up on the topic so he could support them with anything they might need.
On one occasion, at his granddaughter’s university graduation, Cook spotted a lone international family and offered to take a group photo for them.
‘‘Next thing, he’s in photos with them, smiling and laughing and they’re best friends, which is so typical of Bram,’’ Murdoch said.
‘‘He made friends everywhere he went.’’
Cook spent most of his first 16 years of his life in Gujarat, India, where his father was a Salvation Army missionary and doctor. He studied at an Indian boarding school, aside from a brief stint at St Andrew’s College and Christchurch Boys’ High School.
In his early years, he worked as a house surgeon at Princess Margaret and Burwood hospitals before he became a medical registrar at Christchurch Hospital. Later, he found a passion for teaching and entered a new role as senior lecturer at Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
An appointment with Cook regularly ran overtime, much to the annoyance of his colleagues, as his genuine interest in each and every person who walked through the door meant his job was not complete without a catch-up with every patient. He could have a laugh with anyone who crossed his path and was the perfect plus one for any party, Murdoch said.
The family home was always open, with an array for extras picked up for dinner most evenings which ingrained in him a desire to help where he could.
Cook’s retirement came as a surprise to his family, who worried he would never be able to leave his work. He was named a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2003 for his services to medicine and the community. Cook redirected his time to Salvation Army work and the Cotter Medical History Trust, a museum of historic medical equipment. He worked there tirelessly until he died.