BWCA Dan Cooke has passed away Boundary Waters Listening Point

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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum

Listening Point - General Discussion

Dan Cooke has passed away

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pastorjsackett

07/02/2024 10:17AM

I just saw a post that Dan Cooke passed away last night. If this is true, it is a very sad day indeed.

Jeff

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Canoearoo

07/02/2024 10:28AM

I saw that as well. He had a stong faith and was a great man. I'm praying for his family

Life jackets float, you don't!

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adam

Moderator

Moderator

07/02/2024 10:31AM

RIP Dan. Thoughts and prayers for his family.

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bfurlow

07/02/2024 10:33AM

Sorry to see this post. RIP Dan

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07/02/2024 10:46AM

Rest in peace Dan. You were one of the greats!

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airmorse

07/02/2024 10:58AM

Sad.

"In wilderness is the salvation of mankind." Thoreau.

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tumblehome

07/02/2024 10:59AM

Oh man. I saw the thread title and immediately thought the worst.
Damn nice guy. Huge asset to the outdoor community. He lived a good life and left a legacy we will not soon forget.

Every time I put up my tarp and I stay dry from the storm, I think of him and will continue to do so moving forward. RIP Dan.
Tom

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Frenchy19

07/02/2024 11:02AM

So sorry to hear about this. Like his gear, Dan was top notch.

"The future ain't what it used to be" Yogi Berra

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Jaywalker

07/02/2024 11:10AM

What deeply sad news. He was a giant of the paddling community and will be sorely missed. Peace and condolences to his family.

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Tony

07/02/2024 11:14AM

So sad to hear rest in peace

Tony

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pastorjsackett

07/02/2024 11:16AM

As I got deeper into this camping stuff, he invited me to his house to talk it over and show me gear. Who does that anymore?

Legend. I am so sad today.

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Jackfish

Moderator

Moderator

07/02/2024 11:18AM

The canoeing world has, indeed, lost a legend. I am so saddened by his passing, but so happy that I knew him and considered him a friend. I'm especially glad that my wife and I were able to visit with him a bit at Canoecopia this past March.

His memory, and his gear, will leave a legacy of excellence. RIP Dan.

"Keep close to Nature's heart, yourself; and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." ~ John Muir

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Blatz

07/02/2024 11:26AM

Hell of a nice guy and made superior products

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chessie

07/02/2024 11:30AM

Many of us will continue to take him along on our trips, ... packs, tarps, etc. RIP, Dan. My deep sympathies to Dan's family and friends.

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andym

07/02/2024 11:32AM

So very sad. Not only was he a truly nice man who gave so much to our community, but I truly admire the way he kept going through the loss of his wife and his cancer. You knew he was grieving and honoring his wife and had to be struggling with the cancer. But he managed to continue helping the rest of us enjoy the wilderness and went on some amazing adventures in these last few years. He really showed us how to live and I will deeply miss him.

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GopherAdventure

07/02/2024 11:40AM

I only got to chat with him a few times, but what a humble and considerate man he was. Seems like he always took the time to answer anyone’s questions and he definitely made the canoeing world a better place. RIP.

Tony

Tony

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Hoaf

07/02/2024 11:43AM

I shared many conversations with Dan while sitting in his workshop. His love of the wilderness and wilderness canoeing stands out, in addition to his kindness and willingness to share his wisdom and stories with friends, acquaintances, and complete strangers. I will be thinking of him all day.

Is it proper that the wilderness and its creatures should suffer because we came? RP

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MN_Lindsey

07/02/2024 11:46AM

Saddened to hear this.
He and his wife helped design a pack for me, and I got to try out his winter camping gear. He was a genuine article.

“The Wilderness holds answers to more questions than we have yet learned to ask.” - Nancy Newhall

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gonorth1

07/02/2024 11:52AM

So sad. He was a talented, creative, & humble man who helped many enjoy canoeing more comfortably with his practical designs and unsurpassed workmanship. For many of us, whether humping across a portage with a light and sturdy pack, staying dry beneath a tarp in a downpour, or enjoying moments of bliss in a bug tarp at the height of bug season we have Dan to thank.
Hug the ones you love. Sending peace and prayers to his family.

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Wally13

07/02/2024 12:00PM

R.I.P. Dan …

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scottiebaldwin

07/02/2024 12:06PM

An absolute icon in the industry. He’s on the Mount Rushmore of camping and canoeing personalities. Thoughts go out to his son Nathan and to Dan‘s whole family at this time. Today is a sad day indeed.

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ducks

07/02/2024 12:22PM

Very sad indeed. He was as good as they get as a human being. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Ride EZ

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Mocha

07/02/2024 12:25PM

I can't even absorb this news right now.
Santa has paddled on.

please post memorial info when someone finds it.

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boonie

07/02/2024 12:31PM

Sorry to hear this, RIP Dan, condolences to family.

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KevinL

07/02/2024 12:49PM

RIP Dan, one hell of a fine gentleman. From building me specialized canoe camping gear, to helping me get into his old employer for field trips tours with my students. He loved showing the students things that he was working on for Kurt.

KevinL

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deepdish71

07/02/2024 01:05PM

chessie: "Many of us will continue to take him along on our trips, ... packs, tarps, etc. RIP, Dan. My deep sympathies to Dan's family and friends. "

I think this says it best.

You've got to be shitty to get better- Rollie Hortense (hockey coach in the movie Goon)

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MikeinMpls

07/02/2024 01:14PM

This is sad. A true loss to the community. Got a chance to paddle with him once a long time ago on the lake behind his house. He was a good man who made exceptional gear. He stood by his gear...

Mike

I did indeed rock down to Electric Avenue, but I did not take it higher. I regret that.

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Soledad

07/02/2024 01:41PM

I sure hope there are canoes in heaven, and I hope Dan and Karen are paddling one together.

Paddle in Peace Uncle Dan.

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woodsandwater

07/02/2024 01:45PM

He was a gracious man and a wonderful member of this community.

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HighnDry

07/02/2024 01:56PM

Mocha: "I can't even absorb this news right now.
Santa has paddled on.

please post memorial info when someone finds it."

My thoughts exactly, Mocha. Thanks for those sentiments.

"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.”

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BlakeDeadly

07/02/2024 01:59PM

I bought several packs and a tarp from Dan about 4 years ago. I was in Centerville at the time and he was just over in Lino Lakes. In order to avoid having him ship something 7 miles, I asked him if I could just drop by and grab them. I expected to just grab the gear and go, but he sat out front of his house and talked to me for about half an hour about my upcoming trip, some that he liked to do, and creative ways to hang his tarps in various situations.

He was just such a kind, down to earth guy and he'll definitely be missed. RIP Dan

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TuscaroraBorealis

Moderator

Moderator

07/02/2024 02:04PM

Prayers for Dan & his family.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.

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timatkn

07/02/2024 02:13PM

We lost a great one. Dan was very generous and kind. He made products not for the profit but because he enjoyed seeing people getting use out of something he created. He could have charged a lot more and did less work.

My thoughts are with his family and good friends.

Dang this sucks!

T

“Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” Henry David Thoreau

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straighthairedcurly

07/02/2024 02:40PM

Heartbreaking. Such a good man. Condolences to his family.

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Pinetree

07/02/2024 03:37PM

Another Legend of the canoe world and BWCA is gone. So sad.
Met him soloing on Moose Lake once when there was a skim of ice on the lake. He might have been the first up the chain that year. Quite a pioneer and spokesmen for the BWCA.
He toured the world waterways like most of us just dream about

HE DID IT.

Prayers for him and family.

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jillpine

07/02/2024 04:39PM

Gracious, generous, genuine - a giant of a human being.
Rest in peace, Dan.

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sns

07/02/2024 06:46PM

What a Legend. He will be remembered.

"I don't care what you believe. I care what you can prove." -Philosopher & Mathematician JJJ

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halvorsonchristopher

07/02/2024 06:48PM

It's a terribly sad day.
I hope to have half the adventure in my lifetime that Dan had in his.

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Pilgrimpaddler

07/02/2024 07:46PM

A very sad day in the canoeing world. I spent a couple minutes with him just pre-Covid when I picked up a pack from him. It would have been great to spend more time with him. I envy those who went tripping with him, l bet he would have been one hell of a trip partner!

Just put one foot in front of the other; eventually you'll get there.

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Wispaddler

07/02/2024 08:08PM

Met him once at MW Mountaineering. Great guy and a first rate craftsman. I feel very lucky to be using CCS gear, none better.

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mudhen

07/02/2024 08:39PM

Rest in peace Dan.
"A New Adventure is coming up / and I'm sure it will be / A good one." Sigurd F.

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Kendra

07/02/2024 08:49PM

This is heartbreaking news. My condolences to his family. He was a good man!
I will carry my CCS packs in his honor!

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YetiJedi

07/02/2024 09:29PM

TuscaroraBorealis: "Prayers for Dan & his family.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him. "

Amen

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Savage Voyageur

07/02/2024 09:37PM

RIP Dan. As you paddle on my friend may the wind be at your back. Prayers sent to his family.

"So many lakes, so little time." WWJD

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nctry

07/02/2024 09:51PM

Sad day for sure… his ingenuity sure made many of our lives better. And hardly a more humble guy out there. Thank you Dan…

Nctry

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Lightfoot

07/02/2024 11:18PM

So very sad to hear. I had the good fortune to visit with him at some wing nights and at MW Mountaineering. Always happy to talk and share his experience and knowledge. Will remember him every time we hang my tarp and load my pack. He was a wonderful person and will be missed.

RIP, Dan.

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OgimaaBines

07/02/2024 11:18PM

I'm camping in the UP right now with my family, using five off his pieces, most bought from him in person. Rest in peace Dan.

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RoundRiver

07/02/2024 11:26PM

Sad. Cried a bunch today. Very grateful to have gotten to know Dan and especially over the past 2-3 years on a more personal one-on-one level. Especially glad he was able to make it to Canoecopia this year - it was “right” again after him missing a couple of them. Seeing him walk the showroom floor brought a simple smile to my face. And I am grateful he was awake 5 weeks ago when I stopped by his house for a very good 20 minutes of bonding and encouragement. Dan was a very kind and generous man who was a blessing to know. His quality gear will continue to join me on wilderness adventures, and so Dan will not be forgotten. Our paddling community lost a widely beloved member, and humanity lost a good man.

Find a Listening Point and visit often. Develop a Land Ethic and strive to live it.

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TomT

07/03/2024 06:20AM

I only met him one time at canoecopia many years ago. Great guy and I own and use two of his packs which are very high functional quality.

I remember his posts on this board. He was always very helpful and seemed like one of us, just a regular guy who loved getting in his canoe. A life well lived, I’m sure.

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw

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fadersup

07/03/2024 07:30AM

A life well lived, we will miss you Dan.

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BeaV

07/03/2024 08:07AM

jillpine: "Gracious, generous, genuine - a giant of a human being.
Rest in peace, Dan."

I like your description.

A good guy.

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Moonpath

07/03/2024 09:17AM

A big loss for all who know and enjoy wilderness canoeing. He made our lives better.

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DeanL

07/03/2024 09:25AM

RIP Dan. Your contributions to the paddling community will live on for many generations.

"Leave it as it is.....The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it." Theodore Roosevelt

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Northwoodsman

07/03/2024 11:47AM

Dan made paddling fun, enjoyable, easier, and possible for so many paddlers. Thank you Dan for your contributions. RIP Dan Cooke, you will be missed.

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Solobob1

07/03/2024 08:06PM

Did not know Dan well … but he was always good to me. I hope he is reunited with his wife in heaven. He was an icon in the canoe tripping community. He left his mark and will surely be missed by many.

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Hanz

07/03/2024 08:38PM

I’m grateful for the support he provided to us all.
I can only hope he is in a better place.

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Zulu

07/03/2024 08:50PM

I really enjoyed his tarp demos and presentations. He was a great guy.
I’ll think of him every time I tie a Siberian Knot which he taught me.

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shock

07/04/2024 01:31AM

Although i only meet Dan once , i tear up hearing this news , Dan was doing a tarp tying session at MWM expo , He must of saw my interest as he seems to direct his talk towards me, He made an impression on me in a short time we talked for awhile afterwards, he is a BWCA legend , and will be missed by many. RIP

keep your line wet, good things will happen

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07/04/2024 05:08AM

Oh bummer
Glad to have met him
Proud user of many of his products

The purpose of the journey is not to arrive.

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minnmike

07/04/2024 11:12AM

RIP Dan,
I have and will for the rest of my travels toast you
whenever I set one of your tarp up overhead. They have saved
Me, loved ones and gear from so many storms!
Raising my coffee mug to Dan!

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