Richard B. Cook, 82, Overland Park, KS, passed away on June 23, 2026.  Dick was born Feb. 23, 1944 in Chicago and moved to the Kansas City area with his family in 1981.  He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Kathy; daughter, Amy Forebaugh, Western Springs, IL; son, Daniel, Lawrence, KS; daughter, Megan Nordstrom (Kyle), Lexington, SC; grandchildren, Lindsay, Michael and Molly Forebaugh; Finley and Britta Nordstrom; sister, Cathy Downer (David), Grand Rapids, MI.

Dick retired as Vice President of Labor Relations in 2010 after 35 years with Hostess Brands (formerly Interstate Bakeries).  He negotiated hundreds of labor contracts with local and international unions.  He served as an Employer Trustee on Taft Hartley benefit funds, Secretary of the Bakery and Confectionery Union International Funds, and Chairman of the American Bakers Association Human Resources Committee.

Previously, he was Associate Dean of Students at Loyola University of Chicago and Personnel Manager for McDonalds Corp, Oak Brook, IL.

Dick earned a BA in Economics from Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI and an MS in Human Resources and Labor Relations from Loyola University, Chicago, IL.

The game of golf was instrumental in Dick’s life.  He began as a caddie at The Glen View Club, Golf, IL at the age of 12.  He was awarded a Chick Evans Scholarship to Marquette, where he played intercollegiate golf and earned varsity letters.  Dick was a longtime member of Country Club of Leawood (formerly Leawood South CC), twice serving on the Board of Directors.

Dick was also an avid fan of college basketball and coached his children’s youth basketball teams.  His first date with Kathy was to a Creighton game.

Dick was blessed with grandchildren and loved nothing more than spending time with them and attending their activities.  He always emphasized the importance of family and followed their various accomplishments with great interest and pride.

Dick and Kathy were founding members of The Church of the Nativity, Leawood, KS, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister.

Visitation will be at 9:30 am followed by Funeral Mass at 11:00 am on Monday, June 29th at Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th Street, Leawood, KS.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dick’s name may be made to: Evans Scholars Foundation; Western Golf Association, 2501 Patriot Blvd. Glenview, IL 60026-9923