Sheldon C. Cook

August 16, 1923 - January 17, 2018

Sheldon C. Cook MD passed away peacefully at his home on January 17th. Sheldon will long be remembered as the first pediatrician in Lafayette, but probably more so as a gentle soul, a great listener with a huge heart and an adventurous spirit. He had a special fondness for their cabin at Fallen Leaf Lake, where he sailed, led pack trips and water skied. Sheldon loved snow skiing and sailing on the Bay. He was an avid tennis player until his late 80s. More than anything he loved his late wife Marilyn and his family.

Born in San Jose, CA, Sheldon attended Cal and then Temple University Medical School. After a Naval tour in Korea and a pediatric residency at UCSF he practiced in Lafayette for 30 years. Upon retirement he and Marilyn set sail for 5 years. When asked where they were going, he said “We’re going out the Gate and turning left.” When asked how far, he said “South until the butter melts.” On return he enjoyed 30 more years of family activities, traveling, tutoring 5th graders, playing with his beloved pets, and enjoying time with life-long friends.

Sheldon is survived by their children, Kacy Cook, Jeff Cook (Annie), Sarah Flatow (Tobias) and Lili Cook (Megan); and their grandchildren, Meryl Nielsen (Brad) and Brian Cook (Jamie), Matthew and Sarah Tracey-Cook, and one great grandchild Connor Nielsen. Sheldon greatly appreciated the loving support of his caregiver Mike Castro.

There will be a gathering to remember Sheldon on Monday, January 29th from 1-4 PM at the Lafayette Library Community Hall. Remembrances may be made to the Fallen Leaf Lake Fire Dept, P.O. Box 9415 S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96158 or Children’s Hospital Oakland: childrenshospitaloakland.org/main/ giving/aspx.