Giles Roy Cokelet

Giles Roy Cokelet, 93, of Bozeman, MT, passed peacefully February 9, 2025, following a brief illness. Giles was born January 7, 1932, in New York City. He grew up in Carle Place, NY, moved to California and graduated from Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte HS.

Dad was a first-generation college graduate who attended Pasadena Community College and CalTech before receiving his doctorate (ScD) at MIT after an involuntary side trip with the Army including a weekend hike to the top of Mt Fuji. Education, research and curiosity led Dad and Mom to live in many places including California, Boston, MA, Rochester NY, Cologne, Germany, and longest in his chosen true home of Bozeman, MT. Dad relished his career in research and teaching in the fields of Biorheology, Biophysics, and Chemical Engineering, including work at Dow Chemical, Montana State University, and the University of Rochester (NY). In the summer of 1999 Dad traveled to Hungary where he received the Poiseuille Medal from the International Society of Biorheology in recognition of his work in the Biorheology community and research. Dad’s appetite for learning was bottomless, and he collected friends across the world

Dad relished reading, discussions and contemplation of almost any topic. His wide-ranging interests included Hopi culture, world history and religion. He also had a keen interest in Montana postal history, becoming a unique resource on the topic. He was endlessly curious about Montana ghost towns, loved the company of his Samoyeds, and took great pleasure in hiking and wildflower gardening. He experienced many Elderhostel trips, frequently to the Hopi reservation, where he was able to teach in their schools.

Dad is survived by his wife, Sarah “Sally”; sister, Beverly (William) Keller; sister-in-law, Emily “Wendy” Cavanagh; children, Becky (Gian-Paul Piane) and Bradford (Sarah Hoadley); grandsons, Eli and Henry; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Please think of Dad when you enjoy beautiful views. Always ask questions and attempt to untangle life’s endless mystery and complication. In addition to many friends in Bozeman, Rochester, and around the world, the family extends heartfelt thanks to the caring friends and staff at Highgate Bozeman and the Advanced Care Hospital in Billings, MT. Services in Bozeman will take place at a later date and will be announced. For those wishing to honor Giles’ memory, the family requests you consider a contribution in Giles’ name to the Gallatin History Museum (www.gallatinhistorymuseum.org), 317 W. Main St., Bozeman, MT, 59715; or to The Hopi Foundation (www.hopifoundation.org), PO Box 301, Kykotsmovi, AZ, 86039.