The Denver Jewish community lost one of its most distinguished denizens when Irving Hook died this week. He was a sterling representative of the Jewish people in all of his public interactions, and they were many.
A lawyer and a CPA, Hook served on the Denver City Council for 16 years, including two terms as president. He was forthright, professional and skilled. He held many other high positions of public responsibility, such as secretary-treasurer and chair of the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. He guided the pension fund of the City and County of Denver infinitely more wisely than those who brought us the billions of dollars of unfunded pension mandates on the state level.
Irving Hook was a family man and a charitable man. We find it difficult to remember him separately from his memorable wife Flora and all the beautiful work she did for children in Israel. Irving Hook was a staunch supporter of all of Flora Hook’s work on behalf of the Denver branch of ALYN, the American Society for Handicapped Children in Israel.
Above all, we remember Irving Hook as a person with that indefinable demeanor that combines class, aplomb and intelligence. He possessed the kind of professionalism that tends to break down partisan barriers, to build bridges, to rely on intellect to explain things well and to make good things happen. May his memory be a blessing. He will be missed.
Copyright © 2012 by the Intermountain Jewish News
