Retired Ninth District International Representative Marvin D. Cook died on Dec. 29 at the age of 76. Initiated into Santa Barbara, Calif., Local 413 in 1957, Cook served as business manager from 1968 to 1974, when he was appointed International Representative.

Brother Cook, who served in the Army Reserves in Korea, began his work life in the oil fields of California. As International Representative, he participated in the IBEW General President's Offshore Committee, dealing with offshore oil platforms and the IBEW/Carpenter's Jurisdictional Disputes Committee.

A commissioner of the Santa Barbara County Housing Authority, Cook also served as president of the county's building trades council from 1969 to 1974. He actively promoted careers in the trades through talks and film showings at local high schools.

Ninth District International Vice President Michael Mowrey first met Cook as his servicing representative during Mowrey's tenure as business manager of San Luis Obispo, Calif., Local 639. He recalls Cook and International Representative Kenny Johnson traveling the district and meeting with all business managers and executive board members in support of construction organizing. Cook retired in 1995.

"Marvin bled IBEW," says Mowrey, crediting Cook with "unmatched institutional knowledge and a great ability to resolve jurisdictional disputes."

On behalf of our entire membership, the officers and staff send our condolences to Brother Cook's wife, Marie Papulias-Cook, and his family.

Retired Eleventh District International Representative Russell Z. Mundorf died on Dec. 27. He was 91.

Initiated into Lincoln, Neb., Local 265 in 1947, Brother Mundorf, an Air Force veteran of World War II, served as business manager for 14 years. "He was an impressive leader," said Local 265 Business Manager Clinton Burge. During his tenure, says Burge, Mundorf expanded the reach of Local 265 beyond its original area to cover much of western Nebraska.

Mundorf, who served as president of the Lincoln County Building and Construction Trades Council, was also a member of the Nebraska Appeals Tribunal that considered unemployment benefits cases.

A recipient of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Award during the 1960s, Mundorf also received a letter from the president's Missile Site Commission for his negotiations to provide manpower for the project. He was recognized by the R.C.A. Corp. for his work on developing a national collective bargaining agreement.

In 1966, Mundorf was assigned to the Eleventh District staff, serving until his retirement in 1983. A hunter, fisherman and camper, Mundorf enjoye d restoring antique clocks and building clocks for his friends.

The officers, staff and members of the IBEW send our sincere condolences to Brother Mundorf's family and many friends.