Peter Kok, R.I.P.

Catch-22 fans take note: The real-life Yossarian just died.

Comments

[J. Heller]

Before you can access this site, please tell us when you were born, your sex, and where you live. Knowing more about you will be helpful.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Yossarian. I, at least, won't bother you.

Thank you.

[Jesse Walker]

Here's the piece, for those of you who don't like online registrations:

* * * * *

Peter Kok, longtime state representative, dead at 83

The Associated Press
6/24/03 7:01 PM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -- Peter Kok, a former member of the Michigan House of Representatives whose experiences during World War II formed, in part, the basis for the book "Catch-22," has died. He was 83.

The cause of Kok's death on Sunday was unavailable.

A graduate of Holland Christian High School and Calvin College, he served as a captain in the Army Air Corps during World War II.

As a lead bombardier, he completed 67 bombing missions over Italy and southern France, earning a Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross and a Purple Heart. His unit, the 488th Bomb Squad of the 340th Bomb Group, was featured in "Catch-22," a 1961 novel by Joseph Heller.

Heller piloted one of the B-25 bombers under Kok's command. The 1968 movie based on the book depicted Kok's decision to refuse an order to bomb a village in northern Italy, The Grand Rapids Press reported Tuesday.

"My dad said there was no strategic purpose to it, that it would be leveling innocent villages," said Peter Kok, his eldest son. "He pulled up short, bombing open fields, and the rest of the bombers followed suit."

His father, Peter Kok, returned to Grand Rapids after the war and established a real estate brokerage.

The Republican served in the House from 1965-78 before leaving office. Afterward, then-Gov. William G. Milliken appointed Kok to head up the Michigan Council on Aging.

Other survivors include his wife, Cora; another son; a daughter; and several grandchildren.

A memorial service was scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at Boston Square Christian Reformed Church.

[Tim Stich]

Nice to hear from you beyond the blue door, Mr. Heller.

[Anonymous]

I just like the double-phallic name.

[Kevin Carson]

Interesting how WWII war crimes have been the formative events in the background of so many writers. There's Vonnegut in Dresden, obviously. But Walter M. Miller (A Canticle for Liebowitz) participated in the bombing of Monte Cassino, also.

[Motley Laura]

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DATE: 05/20/2004 09:19:48
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