Bruce F. Cook, 81, of Clemson died Oct. 21, 2014. He the director of the Brooks Center and professor of music, who retired in 1996 after 28 years of service.
Appointed director of bands in 1980, Cook was actively involved in all aspects of Tiger Band until 1990, at which time he became the founding director of the Robert Howell Brooks Center for the Performing Arts. Under his direction, many Tiger Band traditions were established at Clemson, including the revival of the football team’s tradition of running down the hill through the band formation, the script spelling of “Tigers,” the dotting of the “i” by selected honorees, and the re-emergence of purple as a Clemson color after the band made it their preferred color for sectional t-shirts. Cook continued to be an avid Tiger Band supporter. Recently, the Tiger Band practice field was renamed the Dr. John H. Butler and Dr. Bruce F. Cook Tiger Band Plaza.
He is survived by his wife, four children, family and friends.
Services were held Oct. 28 at St. Andrews Catholic Church, Clemson.
The family has designated memorials to be given to the “Dr. Bruce Cook Memorial Fund” with checks made payable to the Clemson University Foundation and sent to that address at P.O. Box 1889; Clemson, SC 29633.
or to a music education program of your choice.
Read more about Cook here. Condolences may be expressed online at robinsonfuneralhomes.com.
