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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Listening Point - General Discussion Dan Cooke has passed away |
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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
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
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.
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
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.
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
Tony
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
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.
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
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.
Hug the ones you love. Sending peace and prayers to his family.
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
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)
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
Mike
I did indeed rock down to Electric Avenue, but I did not take it higher. I regret that.
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.”
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
He was just such a kind, down to earth guy and he'll definitely be missed. RIP Dan
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
RIP, Dan.
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.
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.
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
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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