Roger Cook, who served as a gardener and landscaper on the long-running PBS series on home renovation This old house, died on August 21st after a long illness. He was 70 years old.

Cook was born in Biddeford, Maine in 1954 and graduated from the University of Maine in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in wildlife management and conservation law. Cook owned and operated K & R Tree and Landscape Company, which he founded with his wife, Kathleen, in 1982. He was also a member of the Massachusetts Arborist Association and served as board chairman of New England Grows and the Association of Landscape Contractors of Massachusetts.

“Roger’s specialty and passion was plants, and no one had more knowledge about them,” said Fred Pendleton, Roger’s longtime friend and now co-owner of K&R Landscape along with his colleague Tom Pica, in a statement on the This old house Website. “You could ask Roger any question about any plant – which ones survive in the shade, how to treat diseases, which perennials or annuals to choose, which shrubs or deciduous trees are best suited to a particular garden, even the Latin names for everything – and he knew it.”

“Everything I know I learned from Roger,” noted Tom Pica. “He was one of the greatest people you could ever meet. He worked hard, and we often worked 10 hours a day, six days a week. He believed strongly that if you’re going to do something, you should do it right, no matter what the cost.”

Cook’s first appearance on This old house was also in 1982, and he appeared regularly from 1988. He left the series in 2020. This old housewhich began in 1979 as a one-off 13-part series on WGBH, evolved into a media brand with spin-off television shows, a magazine and a website.

“I remember every lesson from Roger,” said This old house Executive producer Chris Wolfe said in a statement: “More importantly, there are millions of people whose lives have been enriched by everything Roger taught them.”

Cook was also an editorial member of This old house Magazine and contributed to Complete landscapingwhich was published in 2004.

His colleagues at This old house shared some thoughts about Roger Cook on the website.

“Roger was very nice, built a good business and knew so much about everything in the garden, from lawns to stone walls. It was clear how knowledgeable he was and that he was a real arborist.” — TOH Master carpenter Norm Abram

“Roger was a great guy, always the first to throw himself into the mud. Whatever needed to be done, he got it done. There was never a problem and he always had a positive attitude. We will miss him very much.” — TOH General Contractor Tom Silva

“Roger was a true gentle giant, competent and calm and always ready to help anyone. We miss our brother.” — TOH Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey

“We lost a brother today. A big-hearted, outstanding brother who was as kind as he was generous. I will miss his smile and his friendship terribly.” — TOH Host: Kevin O’Connor

“Roger is America’s landscape legend. He had a big heart and a kind soul. I will miss my big brother.” — TOH Landscape Gardener Jenn Nawada

Roger Cook is survived by his son Jason, his daughter Molly, his brother Greg, his daughter-in-law Anna and three grandchildren – Peter, Noah and James. His wife Kathleen predeceased him, having died of cancer in 2010.