Remembering Roger A. Cook: Longtime Landscape Contractor of ‘This Old House’ Passes Away

Roger A. Cook, owner of K&R Tree and Landscape Company in Burlington and a prominent cast member of the PBS home improvement series ‘This Old House,’ has passed away at the age of 70. His death occurred on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, due to an extended illness.

Roger was the devoted husband of the late Kathleen E. (Gulde) Cook, with whom he enjoyed many joyful years of marriage until her passing on December 1, 2010. He was born in Biddeford, Maine, and grew up in Woburn before establishing his family in Burlington.

A graduate of Burlington High School class of 1972, Roger excelled in varsity basketball and football. He also worked in landscaping during his education. He later earned a Bachelor of Science in wildlife management and conservation law from the University of Maine.

In 1982, Roger and Kathy founded K&R Tree and Landscape Company, starting with minimal resources. They operated the business together for over 40 years, with Roger focusing on the field and landscape while Kathy managed business operations.

Roger’s involvement in ‘This Old House’ began in 1982. His breakthrough came in 1988 during a significant renovation of the Lexington Bed & Breakfast, leading to his full-time role on the show as a garden and landscape contractor. Roger was a certified landscape contractor in Massachusetts and an active member of several professional organizations.

Throughout his nearly four-decade tenure on the series, he was known for his kind and straightforward approach to landscaping. He received an Emmy Award for lifetime achievement in 2022, illustrating the mark he left on the home improvement industry.

Roger’s passion went beyond landscaping; he was actively engaged in his community and the personal development of his children. He shared valuable life lessons and cherished being a grandfather, always encouraging his family to prioritize what matters most.

Friends, family, and colleagues admired Roger for his humility and dedication, both on and off the screen. As visiting hours are set for August 27 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home in Burlington, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, mourners plant a tree in their communities to honor Roger’s commitment to the environment.