Friday, August 16, 2002
By James O'Toole, Post-Gazette Politics Editor
Edward F. Cooke, who combined the study and the art of politics as professor, author, candidate and officeholder, died Monday of hypertension, diabetes and renal failure in a hospice in Rockville, Md. He was 79.
Mr. Cooke was a former mayor of Oakmont and a three-term treasurer of Allegheny County. A World War II veteran, he was a professor of political science at the University of Pittsburgh and the author of numerous scholarly works on Pennsylvania and national politics.
"He relished it," his daughter, Patricia Baughman of Kingston, Mass., said of his dual roles in academic and clubhouse politics. "He thought it was an unusual opportunity for a professor to be able to practice what he preached."
He was born in 1923 in Boston, and received a bachelor's degree from Middlebury College, a master's degree from Brown University and a doctorate in political science from Northwestern University.
Mr. Cooke's undergraduate years were interrupted by his service in the Navy during World War II. He served with amphibious forces in the Pacific Theater, where he took part in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinowa. He was awarded a Silver Star and was discharged as a lieutenant.
After earning his doctorate, Mr. Cooke taught at Knox College in Illinois before moving on to Pitt's political science department. His fascination with the practical side of politics emerged in an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1962. He was the Democratic Party chairman in Oakmont, and, in 1965, became the first member of his party in the borough's history to win the post of mayor.
"He hadn't planned to run, but he couldn't find another candidate, and being chair of the party, he didn't want that line to be blank," recalled his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Fong of Plymouth, Minn.
Two years later, he was elected to his first term as county treasurer. In 1970, he launched a bid for the Democratic nomination for governor, but withdrew from the race before the primary, which was won by former Gov. Milton Shapp.
Mr. Cooke's political career occurred during a time of transition for the Democratic Party. In endorsing his re-election in 1971, the former Pittsburgh Press observed that Mr. Cooke was "an influential voice within county government as well as within his own party -- frequently providing a bridge between old and new political generations."
On Grant Street, he argued for the abolition of the Policy Committee, a group of county Democratic elders who helped steer the party with little input from the rank-and-file. But while arguing for modernization of the party organization, he also challenged academics and reform-minded critics to engage in practical politics away from their "intellectual ghettoes."
"You talk among yourselves, but you don't get to the people," he once said in a speech prepared for an audience of liberal reformers.
In addition to numerous scholarly articles, he was the author or co-author of books, including "A Guide to Pennsylvania Politics" and "A Detailed Analysis of the U.S. Constitution."
Mr. Cooke is also survived by another daughter, Nancy J. Cooke of Bethesda, Md.
A Mass will be celebrated today in St. James Church in Haverhill, Mass. Funeral arrangements were handled by C. Frank Linnehan & Son Funeral Home in Haverhill.
By James O'Toole, Post-Gazette Politics Editor
Edward F. Cooke, who combined the study and the art of politics as professor, author, candidate and officeholder, died Monday of hypertension, diabetes and renal failure in a hospice in Rockville, Md. He was 79.
Mr. Cooke was a former mayor of Oakmont and a three-term treasurer of Allegheny County. A World War II veteran, he was a professor of political science at the University of Pittsburgh and the author of numerous scholarly works on Pennsylvania and national politics.
"He relished it," his daughter, Patricia Baughman of Kingston, Mass., said of his dual roles in academic and clubhouse politics. "He thought it was an unusual opportunity for a professor to be able to practice what he preached."
He was born in 1923 in Boston, and received a bachelor's degree from Middlebury College, a master's degree from Brown University and a doctorate in political science from Northwestern University.
Mr. Cooke's undergraduate years were interrupted by his service in the Navy during World War II. He served with amphibious forces in the Pacific Theater, where he took part in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinowa. He was awarded a Silver Star and was discharged as a lieutenant.
After earning his doctorate, Mr. Cooke taught at Knox College in Illinois before moving on to Pitt's political science department. His fascination with the practical side of politics emerged in an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1962. He was the Democratic Party chairman in Oakmont, and, in 1965, became the first member of his party in the borough's history to win the post of mayor.
"He hadn't planned to run, but he couldn't find another candidate, and being chair of the party, he didn't want that line to be blank," recalled his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Fong of Plymouth, Minn.
Two years later, he was elected to his first term as county treasurer. In 1970, he launched a bid for the Democratic nomination for governor, but withdrew from the race before the primary, which was won by former Gov. Milton Shapp.
Mr. Cooke's political career occurred during a time of transition for the Democratic Party. In endorsing his re-election in 1971, the former Pittsburgh Press observed that Mr. Cooke was "an influential voice within county government as well as within his own party -- frequently providing a bridge between old and new political generations."
On Grant Street, he argued for the abolition of the Policy Committee, a group of county Democratic elders who helped steer the party with little input from the rank-and-file. But while arguing for modernization of the party organization, he also challenged academics and reform-minded critics to engage in practical politics away from their "intellectual ghettoes."
"You talk among yourselves, but you don't get to the people," he once said in a speech prepared for an audience of liberal reformers.
In addition to numerous scholarly articles, he was the author or co-author of books, including "A Guide to Pennsylvania Politics" and "A Detailed Analysis of the U.S. Constitution."
Mr. Cooke is also survived by another daughter, Nancy J. Cooke of Bethesda, Md.
A Mass will be celebrated today in St. James Church in Haverhill, Mass. Funeral arrangements were handled by C. Frank Linnehan & Son Funeral Home in Haverhill.
Friday, August 16, 2002
By James O'Toole, Post-Gazette Politics Editor
Edward F. Cooke, who combined the study and the art of politics as professor, author, candidate and officeholder, died Monday of hypertension, diabetes and renal failure in a hospice in Rockville, Md. He was 79.
Mr. Cooke was a former mayor of Oakmont and a three-term treasurer of Allegheny County. A World War II veteran, he was a professor of political science at the University of Pittsburgh and the author of numerous scholarly works on Pennsylvania and national politics.
"He relished it," his daughter, Patricia Baughman of Kingston, Mass., said of his dual roles in academic and clubhouse politics. "He thought it was an unusual opportunity for a professor to be able to practice what he preached."
He was born in 1923 in Boston, and received a bachelor's degree from Middlebury College, a master's degree from Brown University and a doctorate in political science from Northwestern University.
Mr. Cooke's undergraduate years were interrupted by his service in the Navy during World War II. He served with amphibious forces in the Pacific Theater, where he took part in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinowa. He was awarded a Silver Star and was discharged as a lieutenant.
After earning his doctorate, Mr. Cooke taught at Knox College in Illinois before moving on to Pitt's political science department. His fascination with the practical side of politics emerged in an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1962. He was the Democratic Party chairman in Oakmont, and, in 1965, became the first member of his party in the borough's history to win the post of mayor.
"He hadn't planned to run, but he couldn't find another candidate, and being chair of the party, he didn't want that line to be blank," recalled his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Fong of Plymouth, Minn.
Two years later, he was elected to his first term as county treasurer. In 1970, he launched a bid for the Democratic nomination for governor, but withdrew from the race before the primary, which was won by former Gov. Milton Shapp.
Mr. Cooke's political career occurred during a time of transition for the Democratic Party. In endorsing his re-election in 1971, the former Pittsburgh Press observed that Mr. Cooke was "an influential voice within county government as well as within his own party -- frequently providing a bridge between old and new political generations."
On Grant Street, he argued for the abolition of the Policy Committee, a group of county Democratic elders who helped steer the party with little input from the rank-and-file. But while arguing for modernization of the party organization, he also challenged academics and reform-minded critics to engage in practical politics away from their "intellectual ghettoes."
"You talk among yourselves, but you don't get to the people," he once said in a speech prepared for an audience of liberal reformers.
In addition to numerous scholarly articles, he was the author or co-author of books, including "A Guide to Pennsylvania Politics" and "A Detailed Analysis of the U.S. Constitution."
Mr. Cooke is also survived by another daughter, Nancy J. Cooke of Bethesda, Md.
A Mass will be celebrated today in St. James Church in Haverhill, Mass. Funeral arrangements were handled by C. Frank Linnehan & Son Funeral Home in Haverhill.
By James O'Toole, Post-Gazette Politics Editor
Edward F. Cooke, who combined the study and the art of politics as professor, author, candidate and officeholder, died Monday of hypertension, diabetes and renal failure in a hospice in Rockville, Md. He was 79.
Mr. Cooke was a former mayor of Oakmont and a three-term treasurer of Allegheny County. A World War II veteran, he was a professor of political science at the University of Pittsburgh and the author of numerous scholarly works on Pennsylvania and national politics.
"He relished it," his daughter, Patricia Baughman of Kingston, Mass., said of his dual roles in academic and clubhouse politics. "He thought it was an unusual opportunity for a professor to be able to practice what he preached."
He was born in 1923 in Boston, and received a bachelor's degree from Middlebury College, a master's degree from Brown University and a doctorate in political science from Northwestern University.
Mr. Cooke's undergraduate years were interrupted by his service in the Navy during World War II. He served with amphibious forces in the Pacific Theater, where he took part in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinowa. He was awarded a Silver Star and was discharged as a lieutenant.
After earning his doctorate, Mr. Cooke taught at Knox College in Illinois before moving on to Pitt's political science department. His fascination with the practical side of politics emerged in an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1962. He was the Democratic Party chairman in Oakmont, and, in 1965, became the first member of his party in the borough's history to win the post of mayor.
"He hadn't planned to run, but he couldn't find another candidate, and being chair of the party, he didn't want that line to be blank," recalled his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Fong of Plymouth, Minn.
Two years later, he was elected to his first term as county treasurer. In 1970, he launched a bid for the Democratic nomination for governor, but withdrew from the race before the primary, which was won by former Gov. Milton Shapp.
Mr. Cooke's political career occurred during a time of transition for the Democratic Party. In endorsing his re-election in 1971, the former Pittsburgh Press observed that Mr. Cooke was "an influential voice within county government as well as within his own party -- frequently providing a bridge between old and new political generations."
On Grant Street, he argued for the abolition of the Policy Committee, a group of county Democratic elders who helped steer the party with little input from the rank-and-file. But while arguing for modernization of the party organization, he also challenged academics and reform-minded critics to engage in practical politics away from their "intellectual ghettoes."
"You talk among yourselves, but you don't get to the people," he once said in a speech prepared for an audience of liberal reformers.
In addition to numerous scholarly articles, he was the author or co-author of books, including "A Guide to Pennsylvania Politics" and "A Detailed Analysis of the U.S. Constitution."
Mr. Cooke is also survived by another daughter, Nancy J. Cooke of Bethesda, Md.
A Mass will be celebrated today in St. James Church in Haverhill, Mass. Funeral arrangements were handled by C. Frank Linnehan & Son Funeral Home in Haverhill.
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