Norman Cook, universally known as “Topper,” died Feb. 5, 2010, at his home in Pennswood Village in Newtown, Pa.
Topper was the son of Norman W. Cook 1911. He prepared at Englewood School for Boys and Phillips Exeter Academy. At Princeton he was editorial editor of The Daily Princetonian, a counselor at Princeton Summer Camp, and a member of Quad-
rangle Club. He roomed for four years with George Shultz and graduated with honors in English.
Topper’s interest in Princeton did not end with graduation. He served for many years on ’42’s executive committee and edited both the Class of ’42 News and the class Web site.
After graduation, Topper received a commission in the Coast Guard and served as skipper of a small freighter that delivered cargoes to out-of-the-way places in the Pacific during the last two years of World War II.
Once discharged, Topper and his wife, Nancy, headed for Manhattan, where Topper began a career in broadcast news for NBC. He enjoyed covering primaries and conventions and traveling with broadcasting stars. At the height of his career he directed David Frost’s interviews with such vivid personalities as Bill Clinton and Jesse Jackson.
Topper is survived by Nancy; their daughter, Ferris; son Norman; three grandchildren; and one great-grandson. To them, the class sends sympathy.