Roger Cook, a longtime fixture on PBS’s renowned home improvement series This Old House, passed away on August 21 at the age of 70 after a prolonged illness.
Cook joined the show in its second season in 1982 and became a prominent cast member and garden and landscape contractor in 1988. He retired from the program in 2022 due to health concerns.
Before leaving the series, Cook expressed,” I have enjoyed the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion for landscaping, And my life has been greatly enriched by the professional relationships and friendships I’ve formed over the years. I truly appreciate our fans’ dedication and the concern for my well-being. Rest assured that I am in good hands, and please know that I am grateful for all of your support.”
Cook was born in Biddeford, Maine, and spent his formative years in Woburn and Burlington. During high school, he worked part-time and during summers in landscaping. He later earned a Bachelor of Science in wildlife management and conservation law from the University of Maine.
In 1982, Cook, along with his wife Kathy, established K&R Tree and Landscaping. The couple ran the business together for over 40 years.
A statement on This Old House’s website reads, “Roger was our dearly loved colleague, cherished by the entire This Old House community for his gentle yet straightforward approach to landscape contracting. He was always there with the solutions we needed.”
Chris Wolfe, executive producer of This Old House, remarked, “I remember every lesson from Roger. More importantly, there are millions of people whose lives have been enriched by everything Roger taught them.”