Updated: Monday, 2:16 p.m.

On Thursday, Lake Oswego resident Robert Cook, 78, died in what appears to be an accidental drowning in Siltcoos Lake, south of Florence, reports The Register-Guard.

The man who died in the lake was Dr. Robert Cook, who, according to Portland Trail Blazers spokesperson Michael Lewellen, led the Trail Blazers medical staff starting with the 1975-76 season through the 1979-80 season. He returned to work for the Blazers for one more season in 1990-91.

"After consulting with the University of Oregon Medical School, we appointed Bob Cook as doctor for the Trail Blazers and it was one of the best decisions we ever made," said Trail Blazers Founding President Harry Glickman in a statement Sunday. "Bob was an excellent orthopedic physician but also a great fishing and golfing companion in the Blazers family, including players and staff alike."

Glickman added, "He will be sorely missed by the entire medical community."

In 1979,

Cook was one of the people Bill Walton sued

, along with trainer Ron Culp, over the quality medical care, after his ugly departure from the Blazers.

KXL radio personality Lars Larson, a friend of Cook's, wrote on Facebook Friday, "A friend passes."

"When my cell rang today and the screen read 'Doc Cook' I figured Bob wanted to talk about our deer hunt just over a month away," continued Larson. "But the voice on the phone said, 'Hey Lars, it's Alberto Salazar.'"

"And then he told me my great friend, Dr. Robert Cook, orthopedic surgeon for over half a century since graduating the University of Missouri Medical school in '63, had passed away," wrote Larson. "Doc was with friends when it happened in Florence, Oregon. He decided to go for a swim. They saw him dive into the lake and begin to stroke back toward the dock when he went under again and never came back up. Alberto told me it appears a heart attack took our friend."

A friend passes When my cell rang today and the screen read "Doc Cook" I figured Bob wanted to talk about our deer... Posted by Lars Larson on Friday, August 26, 2016

According to the Register-Guard, Lane County sheriff's deputies responded to a 911 call at 6:21 p.m. Thursday, saying that Cook could not swim back to the boat which he had dove off of in the freshwater lake on the Oregon coast.

Other people on the boat were unable to rescue him due to murky water and the search and rescue attempt was unsuccessful.

Cook's body was found by a dive team early Friday morning.

On Monday, Cook's family released the following statement:

Dr. Robert D. Cook, internationally recognized sports physician, best known as Team Physician for the Portland Trailblazers from 1975-95, has passed away at the age of 78. Dr. Cook brought an extraordinary degree of commitment, care, and insight to his long and outstanding practice, earning the respect of some of the world's greatest athletes, including his longtime friend legendary runner/coach Alberto Salazar, the Nike Elite Runners, world-class performers Bronze Medalist Galen Rupp, Mary Decker Slaney, Russian Olympic hopeful Arvydas Sabonis, as well as Johnny Unitas and Clyde Drexler, to name but a few.

A Bronze Star recipient who served in the 1st Infantry Division - The Big Red One - in Vietnam, Dr. Cook was always deeply aware of the value of life and the strength of the human spirit. His deep empathy and clinical expertise combined to have a profound impact on many lives beyond professional athletes: thousands of loyal patients and friends and fellow veterans, as well as celebrities such as George Jones, Brad Paisley, and Senator Mark O. Hatfield.

Above all, he was a loving father, grandfather, brother, husband, uncle, and caring friend; always willing to give his personal time and energy, always lifting hearts, always celebrating life.

His family asks those who knew him to join them in mourning his loss, but also in celebrating his extraordinary life and achievements. At the same time, the family requests privacy during this time.

More information regarding memorial services and online access to Dr. Cook's legacy will follow shortly.

Additional reporting by Andrew Theen.

-- Lizzy Acker

503-221-8052

lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker