The IUCN/SSC Shark Specialist Group
Shark News 9: June 1997
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Obituary: Sidney F. Cook
Fisheries biologist, artist, poet, Senior Editor of Chondros, and Shark Specialist Group Northeast Pacific Regional Vice Chair
Our friend and colleague, Sid Cook, had been battling serious health
problems with great courage for a long time. We knew he was very ill,
but always thought he would win through because of his boundless
optimism and active plans for the future. It was a great shock when he
passed away in hospital in the morning of 2 May 1997.
As we go to print, I am unable to provide a biography for Sid.
However, I do know that he was an exceptionally talented, generous
and loyal friend and colleague who gave his help and knowledge
unstintingly to those of us who struggled to achieve his understanding.
Nothing was too much trouble; any request for advice would be
answered immediately (and usually in staggeringly comprehensive
detail). Sid used every method of communication available to him,
and until very recently we could be sure of hearing regularly from him
by email (usually several times a day), phone and fax, regardless of
time zones and intervening continents or oceans. He seems such a
close friend that I feel we used to meet and talk face to face every week,
although we actually only met twice in person. On both occasions he
demonstrated his talents as a speaker and advocate for sharks.
I, and his many other colleagues with whom I have spoken
recently, have found that the sudden silence from Sid leaves a huge
gap in our lives. We miss him greatly.
Sarah Fowler, UK
Eulogy for Sid: A rare combination of compassion, generosity,
brilliance, artistic skill, lateral thinking, rationality, sheer honesty,
openness, courage, cheerfulness and conviction. A fighter who kept
fighting and kept working against odds that few of us have had to face,
for most of his life. An inspiration for all who worked with him, he was
always open to discussion, to suggestion, and to reason. His ilk are few
and far between, and his passing leaves a gap that will never be
filled. In living and keeping his life alive within our minds, we
celebrate his life and times and works. Goodbye and hello, Sid.
Leonard Compagno, South Africa
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