Born Albert Cook on November 16, 1901 in Leominster, Massachusetts, after school he became a member of a dance orchestra. In time he became engaged to a young woman who encouraged him to take instruction in the Catholic faith. For many years Albert had attended services at the Unitarian Church. Still, he took instruction and was baptized. Some time later the couple broke the engagement and Albert decided to enter the Passionists. In 1924 he went to the Passionist Preparatory Seminary, Normandy, Missouri. In 1927 he went to the novitiate in Louisville, Kentucky and professed his vows on August 1, 1928. His religious name was Robert. Philosophy and theology studies were conducted at Cincinnati, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; St. Paul, Kansas; and Des Moines, Iowa. He was ordained on August 15, 1936. His first assignment was professor of English and history at the Prep Seminary, Normandy. Later he taught at the college department in Detroit and Des Moines. He was skilled at using various learning aids to make his students learn. These skills were most appropriate when he became a retreat master at Detroit and Cincinnati. In 1952 he was transferred to the Sierra Madre, California where he was confined to rest and bird-watching. This decision was made as a result of continued ill health. In the spring of 1944 he had first suffered from coronary thrombosis.
Birth Date:
November 16, 1901
Profession Date:
August 1, 1928
Ordination Date:
August 15, 1936
Death Date:
April 11, 1953