Memories of President Emeritus Clyde Cook
I will remember Clyde for his personal way he dealt with everyone. He did know everyone by name and kept up with each person's family and job. When my sister was dying from cancer, he left me a voice mail prayer. It touched me so deeply that I typed it up and saved it. That the busy president of a university would take the time out to pray for a miracle for my sister meant more than he could ever have known.
Another time my daughter was doing a "Flat Jack" project in school, where they were to mail a little flat drawing to different places in the world. It was arranged for "Flat Jack" to take a picture with Clyde in his office. Again, the busy president of a university took time out to help with a silly homework project. That picture is a treasured one.
I do have to say I would shake my head and laugh at the times I would receive a thank you card from him, thanking me for my thank you card to him. I wondered if I wrote him a thank you for his thank you for my thank you, how long the process would go. Maybe 100 thank you's later. But I appreciated his thankfulness even for the little things.
As Chuck Swindoll so beautifully stated in Clyde's memorial service, he lived life well. He finished the race strongly. I only hope to impact a small percentage of the number of people that Clyde impacted in his long years of ministry.
Anna Belle, you are in our prayers!
I know of no one who was more genuine in his walk of faith; a man of God who truly displayed authentic Christianity in incarnating the life of Christ Jesus to his peers, his students, his world.
The world has truly lost another spiritual giant.
We remember Dr. Cook as being such a humble leader with a heart for God and world evangelism with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Neither of us had much direct interaction with him as students, but we both enjoyed hearing him speak in chapels, etc.--he was so engaging and personal, and when we did run into him on campus, he was so genuine--a President that actually talked to and cared for students! We also cherish the time we got to meet and talk with him & Anna Belle when they visited Portland on his "farewell tour" visit to alumni chapters. We have 4 children who are in the pictures taken that night--4 potential future Biolans. Our Biola experience was so impactful in both of our lives, and Dr. Cook was a part of that experience! Dr. Cook leaves such an example of Godly leadership. We pray that our kids can experience Biola one day, and that is partly because of the legacy that Dr. Cook leaves behind.
David ('89) & Angela ('91) Toyer
Portland Chapter leaders of the Biola Alumni Association
I met Dr. Cook once and did not realize who he was, however, my impression was that he and Anne Belle both seemed to have quiet & humble spirits.
She was a patient at my hospital a few years back and I was the charge nurse on duty. I don't recall what their concern was only that I responded and was able to resolve the issue. They expressed their gratitude to me and my staff repeatedly. I remember thinking to myself; we are just doing our jobs.
A couple weeks later I received a nice letter from my CEO thanking me for demonstrating our company values to a patient. Attached was a letter he had received from Dr. Cook praising me and my staff for taking excellent care of Mrs. Cook. It wasn't until I saw his name and title on the letterhead that I realized who he was. While in the hospital he never mentioned "who" he was, on the contrary; he was very unassuming and gentle.
Again I thought; my staff and I were just doing our jobs as nurses; caring for he and his wife. Yet two weeks later he took the time to write a letter to make sure our leader knew how much he and Anna Bell appreciated our care. That effort made a lasting impression on me and I hope I will follow his example to always express my gratitude and exhibit a humble spirit. Hard working people appreciate even small words of kindness and encouragement.
Ironically, my son had just been accepted to Biola that same year. God had given me peace about our decision to send Zach there, and the letter from Dr. Cook to my CEO was just another confirmation. We'll attend our son's graduation this May and regret that Dr. Cook won't be there. His inspiration has truly led to God's blessing of Biola, it's students, and our world.
His family is in my prayers, and I'm certain he's heard "Well done, my good and faithful servant". May his example inspire us all.
Mother of May 08' graduate
The last time I saw Clyde on campus, he was still dressed in a full suit and tie! He was moving pretty quickly to get to a meeting or something. I asked him how retirement was going.
"I'm loving it!" he said enthusiastically, as he moved on to his important date.
Even retirement didn't seem to slow him down. He was a blur of energy and optimism.
Only the Lord could slow Clyde down in this life, when He called His servant home. May we live life the fullest as Clyde did, serving the Lord with fervor until our final day.
I was so saddened to hear about Dr. Cook's passing.
In '88 I went to India with SMU. That same year, my sister, who attended Westmont, went on a missions trip to South Africa. My mom, not being a Christian, couldn't understand why God would send both of her daughters to remote and dangerous locations. Dr. Cook, at our sendoff, said this her with his gentle, towering presence, "Danger isn't the absence of safety, it is the presence of the Lord." This comment helped my mom immensely!
He will be missed.
When my dad was interviewing at Biola, Biola offered to bring the entire family out for the interview since the job would mean moving us 3000 miles across the country. During one of the meetings, the entire family had lunch in the cafeteria with Dr. Cook. I remember being very nervous (I was 14 at the time). Dr. Cook was sitting across from me and during the conversation, he turned to me and said, "What do you like most about your dad?"
Thinking this was very important...you know, the make it or break it question for my dad, I wanted to make a good impression and show Dr. Cook that my dad knew a lot about math and numbers (since he was interviewing for a finance job), I said, “my favorite thing about my dad is that he sits at the kitchen table with me and helps me with my math homework.”
Of course, Dad got the job!
Knowing Dr. Cook is one of the special blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon me since I became a Christian and Biola employee just over six years ago. Even though I didn't spend much time with him, each time he saw me he said 'hi,' and asked how I was doing. Believe me, as a new Christian on campus at Biola, having the President know my name was both exciting and humbling!
We shared a love of basketball. I've been the scorekeeper for the women's games for a few years, and would always have a bird's eye view from behind the scorer's desk, of the man up in the bleachers, across the court. Of course I also heard him speak in chapels and at employee functions. His wonderful sense of humor and quick wit --always delivered with loving glory to God and humility --never failed to make me smile, to make me think, and to open my heart.
However, it wasn't until my father died in Jan., 2004, that I really experienced the Christ-like character of Dr. Cook in a powerful way. My dad taught as an adjunct in the Science Department for a couple of years. When he died suddenly, the department had a wonderful tribute and the Inside Story, Biola’s faculty newsletter, wrote a nice memorial. I'm not sure if Dr. Cook and my father ever met in person, but Dr. Cook called my mom to offer condolences and to pray - not once, but twice. He sent me a handwritten note of sympathy. My mom still mentions that heartfelt act of kindness today. What a comfort and inspiring example of how to just be there and care for others. Dr. Cook didn't really know me or my family, but as part of the family of Christ he reached out to support us.
What a testimony of God's amazing grace, to use a leader like Dr. Cook to model humility and love of others, to then bring others to Himself. Dr. Cook lived out Philippians 2:3-5: "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus."
Yes, God truly blessed me by allowing my path to cross with Dr. Cook's. I will always remember his example of Christ in both word and deed, and thank the Lord for Dr. Cook's witness to all of us at Biola and around the world.
During my time at Biola, I held a few student employment positions. I remember working in what used to be Public & Parent Relations as the Community Relations Intern and having Clyde come into my "office" (actually it was a cubicle no bigger than a shower stall) in Upper Metzger.
I was shocked to see him walking between the maze of walls that made up our department, but even more shocking was that he called me by name! I had never met him personally prior to this point and was surprised that he even knew who I was! In a sincere and genuine way, Clyde said he was just stopping by to say 'thank you' for all that I had been doing in representing Biola within our community. He even knew specific events I had attended and that I had been co-hosting the City of La Mirada Cable News. I can't express how much those words meant to me as a young sophomore. He taught me a great lesson that day--you're never too important or too busy to stop and say thanks or show interest in those who serve under you!
What an example Clyde was to all of us! We'll miss you Dr. Cook.
P.S. Anybody else remember how fun he was during the 12 Days of Christmas chapel? Good times.
I want to express my heartfelt sadness and offer my condolences on the passing of Dr. Cook. I served the Biola Community and Dr. Cook, personally for nine years, as Executive Chef with Bon Appetit.
Every meal I presented to Dr Cook, whether it was an intimate lunch for four or a gala celebration for 500, it was accepted by him with the same grace and generosity of spirit. His kindness and sincere interest preceded every meal. I was always asked to comment on the food presentation. I felt appreciated and that what I was doing was important. I will remember Dr Cook as a man of good humor, charm and simple elegance. When I think back to my nine years at Biola, I will think of Dr. Cook and his lovely partner in life, Anna Belle, and the fact that he made my years of service to Biola a true pleasure and a blessing. Thank you.
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Clyde Cook touched countless lives with his wisdom, humor and love for the Lord. We invite you to share your personal memories of Dr. Cook using the following form. Though submissions will not appear immediately, this page will be updated regularly to include new reflections from visitors around the world.