Peter Crook, Jr., 92; Golfer, Entrepreneur in Airplane Industry

Frank Peter Crook, Jr., a 40-year resident of Pacific Palisades, passed gracefully on September 30 from sepsis, just shy of his 93rd birthday. He was surrounded by his daughter Pam Crook Gray and her daughter Wendy Gleason; his son Gordon Crook and his wife Susie and their children, Kevin and Kelly.   Born in Los Angeles on October 20, 1917, to Frank Peter Cook, Sr., and Gladys Cahen, Peter married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Ficovic, in 1941. The couple started dating as teenagers, and he proposed on the dance floor at his college senior prom. Instead of simply saying ‘Yes,’ Mary answered in a novel way. She borrowed a quarter from Peter’s best friend and sent him a telegram, saying she would marry him.   Mary preceded Peter in death in January 2009 after a loving marriage of 67 years.   Peter, who sometimes went by his first name, Frank, graduated from L.A. High in 1935, attended UCLA and graduated from UC Berkeley in 1941 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.   He designed airplanes for Douglas Aircraft during World War II. In 1958, he and Milt Miner formed Miner & Associates. In 1962, they formed Tridair Industries by adding other companies. In 1975, they merged with Rexnord. Peter then went off on his own with blueprints of airplane parts he felt would be used for the next five to ten years and formed Aeroterra, Inc. The company survived until late 1999, some 24 years later.   Peter was a gentle, kind man. He was active in the Santa Monica Republican Club and Optimist Club, L.A. Country Club and a variety of other organizations over the years. Golf was a big part of his life, and he especially enjoyed golfing with his son Gordon and grandson Kevin.   His first grandchild, Wendy Gleason, took care of him, as well as caring for his wife Mary, who took ill in 2006.   A celebration of Peter’s life was held on October 20. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Santa Monica Animal Shelter, 1640 Ninth St., Santa Monica, CA 90404 (attn: Donation for Frank Peter Cook, Jr.).