Living In Purpose
Born and raised in Fairbanks, Jeff Cook has always believed in the power of coming home — not just to a place, but to a purpose.
After earning his business degrees from the University of Oregon, he returned to Îçҹ̽»¨ in 1968 with his wife, Sue, to raise their four children and build a life rooted in service. What followed has been more than five decades of leadership, philanthropy and unwavering commitment to Îçҹ̽»¨.
In his early career, Jeff realized that building a strong community isn’t just about business, it’s about people. “If you want to recruit and retain people, you need a good university, good schools and good health care,” he said.
Jeff and Chrissy in 1992.
At the heart of Jeff and Sue’s story is their family and the legacy of their daughter, Chrissy Alberts, who died after a seven-year encounter with metastatic cancer. Chrissy’s story has inspired the family’s most meaningful endeavor — to ensure that Îçҹ̽»¨n’s are able to receive more local, life-saving health care.
After Chrissy’s diagnosis in 2017, Jeff joined the American Cancer Society’s Real Men Wear Pink campaign, ultimately becoming the top fundraiser in the nation, raising more than $120,000.
Passionately inspired by Chrissy’s memory, that same spirit now drives a $6 million campaign that Jeff is leading, in coordination with the Greater Fairbanks Community Hospital Foundation, . Potentially life-saving equipment, a PET scanner is critical for early cancer detection.
In addition to health care, the University of Îçҹ̽»¨ has been very important to the Cook family over the years. While in college at the University of Oregon, Jeff’s summers working in construction provided him with financial stability, but he never failed to notice the students around him who struggled financially. This experience drew him to support the University of Îçҹ̽»¨ and eventually led to his appointment as a regent in 1977, while in his early 30s.
In 1990, Jeff became a representative on the UA Foundation Board of Directors (formerly trustees), serving until 2007. Reflecting on the energy and momentum of the university at that time, he said he found himself among a dynamic group of people that he really enjoyed.
The Cook family’s generosity is felt throughout the university, from KUAC to the Georgeson Botanical Garden, to the College of Business and Security Management, and the UA Museum of the North.
Jeff and Sue Cook’s family in 1989 in Kauai, including Jeff’s parents, far left, and his sister, fifth from the left.
In 2018, Jeff and his family established the Cook Family Endowment in honor of his parents, Earl and Pat, to provide unrestricted support to the UA Museum of the North.
When asked the reason behind the unrestricted nature of the endowment, Jeff said that he has seen many needs, both at the university and at the hospital, that aren’t specific. He feels that giving more general-purpose gifts to an organization is much needed and “incredibly helpful for them to have latitude.”
Many stories, accolades and accomplishments with Jeff’s name attached have been shared throughout the years. Through it all are the valuable lessons that Jeff has learned along the way.
His life has centered on three pillars: faith, family and community. Raised in a household where giving was a way of life, he recalls, “All along, Mom and Dad modeled philanthropy and giving. We were all involved in Scouts and different community activities where you learn to give and to work with each other.”
When asked what he hopes his grandchildren learn from his example, he doesn’t hesitate: “Life’s greatest gifts are family, friends and faith. And faith can be actively practiced in many ways, just a belief in something bigger than yourself. Everything else is just frosting on the cake, and if you have frosting, you should share it!”
Over the years, Jeff’s world has been expanded through the generosity of others. “That is what enriches your drive, meeting people and getting to know them and their stories.”
One such story is that of his longtime friend , whose estate he helped steward. “It was an honor to see so many of her possessions go to impact the university,” Jeff said.
Throughout his lifetime, Jeff has stepped into roles and taken on duties that others have shied away from. His journey into community engagement began with a humble role as secretary of the Board of Realtors, “a job that nobody wanted,” he laughed as he shared. But it opened doors, culminating in a memorable meeting with President Reagan in 1982. “Sometimes it is the little things, or just taking on the things that nobody else wants to do, but doing it for the right reasons.”
Jeff emphasizes the importance of focus and intentionality, whether serving on a board or giving as a donor. “Pick two or three things to do and don’t get so spread out that you can’t do those things well,” he advises.
Family photo in 2004.
He knows the younger generation’s giving plays out differently from his own, with numerous online giving platforms and more information available about various causes. And that’s OK. “Whether it is direct philanthropy, or volunteering, or generally showing compassion,” he says, “it’s all meaningful.”
He also recommends that people engage in things they are passionate about and also benefit the community. Jeff firmly believes that this approach is “more impactful in the long run.”
Dr. William R. Wood, president of the University of Îçҹ̽»¨ from 1960 to 1973, once shared something with Jeff that has stuck with him: “It is up to each of us to leave the place a little better than we found it.”
Through his life, Jeff has remained grounded in the values instilled in him by his parents — the values of community, integrity and the belief that giving back is not just a responsibility, but a privilege. His story is not just one of titles and milestones, but of dedicated service, generosity, enduring relationships and a deep love for Îçҹ̽»¨.
Jeff came home to Îçҹ̽»¨ in 1968. Through every chapter since, he has helped make Îçҹ̽»¨ a better home for all of us.