Open Space District loses a champion

From Watergate to open space, Charles M. Cooke, 77, who died on Sunday, was a man devoted to
his time.
The son of Admiral Charles M. Cooke, Jr., he graduated from Annapolis, joined the Air Force, volunteered and served for one year in Vietnam. He was in the Vietnam office in the Defense Department, Elliot Richardson’s special Assistant for Vietnam, and an advisor on Vietnam to Henry Kissinger. After serving in two administrations in Washington, he returned to Sonoma County and served in the office of the State Superintendent of Schools.
Cooke’s driving passion was ensuring that Sonoma County’s natural beauty be preserved and he worked tirelessly on the Planning Commission and for the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. In November, Cooke dedicated his own 193-acre Sonoma Valley ranch, which his parents had bought in 1938, to permanent protection from development.
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors recently recognized Cooke for his 16 years of service to the people of Sonoma County as a First District Planning Commissioner.
“He spent almost his entire life in public service,” said Ted Eliot, his friend of 40 years. “He was a man of principle. He fought for what he believed in. He was very committed to preserving open space in Sonoma County,” Eliot said. “He was a real Sonoman.”
Andrea Mackenzie, general manager of the Sonoma County Agricultural and Open Space District, said Cooke was a hero to all at the district. “He was our founder and champion and there simply wouldn’t be an open space district today if not for Charlie Cooke’s efforts,” she said. “He was a bold thinker and encouraged us to be bold in our conservation efforts.” Cooke leaves a legacy of over 75,000 acres of farmland, wildlife habitat, open space and recreational land, she said. “That’s quite a legacy.”
Sister-in-law Susan Peterson said Cooke was someone who “shared the beauty of the land with us, hiking through the Padres Trail, on his property, and sharing the history and his love of the land and preservation with us all.” She said “The ranch kind of folded all of his interests together – preservation, land use, history, the whole bit.”
Cooke died at home, at his ranch, in the constant company of his wife, Sara.