A packed St Mary’s church gathered on Wednesday 5th October to say goodbye to Dr Richard Cook. Family, friends, former colleagues and patients came together to pay their respects to Dr Cook, who died on 9th September after more than thirty years as a GP in Ross-on-Wye.
After training at Oxford and Barts in London, Richard moved to Ross with his wife Jenny and young family, joining Chepstow House Surgery in 1977. This became Alton Street Surgery on moving to the current premises in 1997. Living in the town where he worked, Richard was the epitome of a local GP, contributing fully to the community in so many ways. Regularly working nights and weekends on call, he was committed to serving his patients.
Predating the development of what is now called lifestyle medicine, Dr Cook was a passionate advocate of preventing poor health, and in particular the benefits of staying active and keeping to a healthy weight. A map on the waiting room wall marked out walks of different lengths with leaflets to encourage patients to take up exercise. Dr Cook practised what he preached, enjoying and leading walks for patients and practice staff. He was ahead of his time in many ways, building an energy efficient house and introducing the first computer to the surgery.
Richard and Jenny helped to found the French twinning association and made many firm friendships as a result. Richard played trombone in Monmouth Big Band, which again he was involved in from the outset. He enjoyed teaching English to those moving to the town from abroad, and retained a deep love of the outdoors. His intellect, wisdom, dry sense of humour and commitment to his patients over decades of service made him an impressive role model and mentor to his colleagues.
Dr Cook was actively involved in ensuring the best healthcare for the town, supporting and protecting Ross Community Hospital, and visiting the wards with his family on Christmas Day to carve the turkey. He chaired the locality group and represented Ross on the local Professional Executive Committee, all of which have helped to preserve high-quality healthcare in the town to this day. He will be sorely missed.
Written by Dr Simon Lennane of Alton Street Surgery.
