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scottiebaldwin
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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
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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.
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Mocha
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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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MikeinMpls
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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
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TuscaroraBorealis
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Prayers for Dan & his family.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
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BlakeDeadly
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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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pastorjsackett
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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
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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.
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chessie
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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
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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
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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
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MN_Lindsey
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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.
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deepdish71
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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.
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Soledad
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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
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He was a gracious man and a wonderful member of this community.
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HighnDry
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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.
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halvorsonchristopher
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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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timatkn
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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
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Pinetree
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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
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Gracious, generous, genuine - a giant of a human being.
Rest in peace, Dan.
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sns
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What a Legend. He will be remembered.
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Pilgrimpaddler
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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!
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Wispaddler
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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
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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
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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
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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
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RIP Dan. As you paddle on my friend may the wind be at your back. Prayers sent to his family.
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nctry
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Sad day for sure… his ingenuity sure made many of our lives better. And hardly a more humble guy out there. Thank you Dan…
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fadersup
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A life well lived, we will miss you Dan.
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Lightfoot
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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
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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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KevinL
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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.
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bfurlow
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Sorry to see this post. RIP Dan
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JD
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Rest in peace Dan. You were one of the greats!
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Jaywalker
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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
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So sad to hear rest in peace
Tony
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Boppa
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He was a giver, creator and a gentleman. He will be missed.
Boppa
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Wally13
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R.I.P. Dan …
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boonie
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Sorry to hear this, RIP Dan, condolences to family.
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RoundRiver
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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.
 
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minnmike
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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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TomT
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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.
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BeaV
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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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DeanL
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RIP Dan. Your contributions to the paddling community will live on for many generations.
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Northwoodsman
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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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Hanz
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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
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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
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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
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PJ
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Oh bummer
Glad to have met him
Proud user of many of his products
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Solobob1
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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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Spartan2
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Never really talked to him or met him, but his reputation is legend. Condolences to the family, and prayers that the many memories expressed here will be a source of pleasure in the days ahead. He was a remarkable man.
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straighthairedcurly
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Heartbreaking. Such a good man. Condolences to his family.
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Moonpath
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A big loss for all who know and enjoy wilderness canoeing. He made our lives better.
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pastorjsackett
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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
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I saw that as well. He had a stong faith and was a great man. I'm praying for his family
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Frenchy19
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So sorry to hear about this. Like his gear, Dan was top notch.
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airmorse
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Sad.
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tumblehome
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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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Hoaf
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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.
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gonorth1
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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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BWPaddler
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So very sad. RIP Dan.
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adam
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RIP Dan. Thoughts and prayers for his family.
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Blatz
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Hell of a nice guy and made superior products
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