Charles Winant Cook ’42

Chuck prepared at the Browning School in New York City. At Princeton he joined Dial Lodge and majored in history. After college he was drafted into the Army and assigned to study Mandarin in Chicago (where he met his future wife, Jean). Shortly before being shipped to the Philippines he became seriously ill and remained in the United States as a sergeant, in which capacity he was finally discharged.

Chuck’s first employer also was his last. After leaving the Army he started teaching history and sociology at the Browning School. In 1948 he was appointed assistant headmaster and, in 1952, headmaster. Despite his administrative load, Chuck continued to teach, since he always thought of himself primarily as a teacher of young men. U.S. history — particularly Civil War history — was a passion. When he finally retired in 1988, Chuck had been one of the longest serving headmasters in the country. One of his former students remembers Chuck as an outstanding teacher and a great influence on his life.

Jean died a few years ago. Chuck is survived by his sons, Charles and John; their children; and the children of his late daughter, Beatrice. To them all, the class sends its condolences.