It is with great sadness we report the passing of our Founder and Laboratory Director, Robert John Kokoski, PhD (Dr. Bob).
Dr. Kokoski (85) passed away on January 19, 2018.
Born in 1932 in Chicopee Falls, MA, he moved to Halethorpe, MD as a child. After attending the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, where he earned a PhD., he had thought to extend his career as professor. Instead he entered the burgeoning field of drug abuse testing. By taking charge of a research project at Spring Grove Research Hospital in 1963 to detect drugs of abuse in biological samples, Dr. Kokoski worked as the scientific directory at Friends until the day of his death trying to make a difference in the fight against addiction.
His early work in research included enhancing and fine-tuning the comprehensive Thin Layer Chromatography panels we use to this day. Through his 50 years of participation in the industry he authored many papers, lectured at many conferences and served as President of the American Board of Bioanalysts. He also served as an Expert Witness throughout the Delmarva area. His personal code of honor, integrity, diligence and fairness became the driving influence of Friends Lab.
Dr. Bob, as he enjoyed being called, was a great believer in working hard and cherishing the moment. His wife Patricia stood faithfully by his side from 1962 until her untimely death 42 years later. Having lost his wife in 2004 to cancer, Dr. Kokoski continued on in her honor, working, traveling and cherishing their 9 grandchildren. When not at Friends Lab, he traveled extensively with his family and friends. Despite numerous medical issues and advance age, Dr. Kokoski was still seen in the Lab everyday when not off vacationing with family. In fact he had just vacationed in Disney over the New Year’s holiday with grandsons before coming back to work. A passion for living occupied him in the years after his wife’s death.
He is survived by his four children, nine grandchildren and all of us at Friends Lab.
May you rest in peace Dr. Bob!
In honor of our respected colleague Friends Lab will close for business on Tuesday, January 30 so staff, friends and family may say a final goodbye to our valued friend. Service details are here.
