Cook Group Founder William A. Cook Dies at 80

April 18, 2011—William Alfred Cook, founder of the Cook Group global network of companies and a pioneer in the development of life-saving, minimally invasive medical device technology, has died. Mr. Cook passed away at the age of 80 on April 15 due to congestive heart failure. He is survived by his wife Gayle Karch Cook, son Carl, daughter-in-law Marcy, and granddaughter Eleanor.

The company has posted a remembrance and condolences page on its Web site at: http://condolences.cookmedical.com. 

Services have been announced. Mr. Cook will lie in repose from 10 AM to 6 PM on Saturday, April 23 in the front rotunda of Cook World Headquarters at 750 Daniels Way in Bloomington, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Martha Lea and Bill Armstrong Fund in Teacher Education in care of the Indiana University Foundation, PO Box 500 Bloomington, IN 47402, or to the charity of one's choice.

Company officials stated that the business will continue as a privately held corporation with its global headquarters in Bloomington. Carl Cook, 49, has been named chief executive officer of Cook Group, with Steve Ferguson continuing as chairman and Kem Hawkins continuing as Cook Group's president.


“Bill Cook left a lifetime legacy of giving that will last forever,” commented Mr. Hawkins. “His philosophy of putting people and patients first is responsible for our company's 48 years of unprecedented growth and success. His primary wish would be that we carry on that tradition and ensure the stability and security of Cook here in Bloomington and around the world for our employees, our customers, and the millions of patients who have been helped with the medical technologies Cook has pioneered.”

“Bill's many contributions to the medical industry are unprecedented, and his many contributions to the community and to charitable organizations are extraordinary,” added Mr. Ferguson. “It was through his unique vision, persistence, and dedication that Cook grew into a compassionate and caring global company for patients, customers, and employees. He truly epitomized the meaning of success.”

According to the company, Bill Cook was born on January 27, 1931, in Mattoon, Illinois. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Northwestern University in 1953 and pursued postgraduate work in physics at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Cook served as a medic in the United States Army, where he taught the physics of anesthesia to Army resident anesthesiologists.

In 1963, he founded Cook Inc. in the spare bedroom of his Bloomington apartment with $1,500 invested capital. He and his wife Gayle were the only employees. The company's first products were a set of percutaneous wire guides, catheters, and needles that helped popularize minimally invasive medical procedures that put an end to exploratory surgery. Cook innovations included firsts in coronary and peripheral stenting, endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms, difficult airway management, and other medical disciplines that helped shape modern medicine worldwide.

The company reports that its family of businesses has grown into a global entity of 42 companies employing more than 10,000 people with manufacturing, sales, logistics, and administrative facilities across the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The firms manufacture cardiovascular diagnostic and interventional products, antimicrobial catheters, vascular filters, bioengineered tissue grafts, extruded and injection-molded plastics, precision stainless steel tubing, urological equipment, obstetric/gynecological devices, and endoscopic instruments. In addition, other Cook Group corporations are involved in real estate, travel services, and aircraft service and maintenance.

Endovascular Today offers our deepest condolensces to Mr. Cook's family, friends, and colleagues.