Melvin A. Cook, 89, explosives inventor and father of U.S. Rep. Merrill Cook, R-Utah, died Thursday, Oct. 12, 2000, at LDS Hospital after complications from surgery.
Dr. Cook, also a former chemistry professor at the University of Utah, is best known for his invention of slurry blasting agents in 1956, considered explosives' most significant nonatomic breakthrough of the 20th century. The slurry explosive replaced dangerous dynamites and revolutionized mining, rocketry and all phases of explosives except nuclear bombs.
He received a Gold Medal Medallion in Sweden in 1968 — the 100th anniversary of the invention of dynamite — for his new explosive, which made many industries that use explosives safer and more cost-effective. Dr. Cook's invention also made open-pit mining possible.
"My father revolutionized the mining industry," Merrill Cook said. "Many people believe large open-pit mines would never have been achievable without his inventions."
Dr. Cook was also the founder and former president of IRECO Chemicals of Salt Lake City, a worldwide manufacturer of industrial explosives. He patented more than 100 inventions, wrote six books and hundreds of scientific articles.
He graduated from Bear River High School and received his bachelor's degree in chemistry at the University of Utah in 1933 and his master's degree in 1934. He also received a doctorate in chemistry at Yale University in 1937 and worked for a decade with DuPont as an explosives-research chemist.
Cook was also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a bishop, branch president and high councilor.
Funeral services will beTuesday, Oct. 17, at noon in the Arlington Hills LDS Chapel, 1300 E. Fairfax Road (340 North). Friends may call at the Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 E. 1300 South, Monday, Oct. 16, 6 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 17, 10:30 a.m. at the chapel. Burial will be in the Bothwell Cemetery, west Tremonton, Box Elder County.
Contributing: The Associated Press.