Robert Herbert “Bob” Cookingham, a lifelong area resident, died on Feb. 2. He was 83.
Cookingham was a retired equipment operator and supervisor with the New York State Department of Transportation based at the Wassaic Sub-Station in Wassaic.
He was born Aug. 24, 1942, in Sharon, Conn., the son of Herbert and Viola (Moore) Cookingham of Pine Plains. He was educated locally and married Joanne R. Palmer in 1961. She died in 2024.
Cookingham is survived by three children: Bernadette (Robert) Downey; Brenda Valyou; and Robert (Nancy) Cookingham, Jr.; two brothers, Richard Cookingham and David Cookingham; six grandchildren; seven great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A son, James Cookingham, died before him.