John L. Cook – circa 1955
Papenauwelendam – To Be Concerned. The Lenni Lenape name bestowed upon Mr. John Cook by Owasippe Lodge – Order of the Arrow on August 1, 1966 on the occasion of his Vigil induction. What better descriptor could be applied to the life of man whose love of education led to devotion of his energies to the education of the youth of our communities?
Brother John began his Scouting journey as an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 933 in 1962. Deepening his commitment to Scouting, he became a Member at Large of Cicero District, eventually serving as its Camping Chairman and District Commissioner. John in a burning desire for education completed his Woodbadge training in 1964, and true to the spirit of our founder – Lord Baden-Powell, maintained close ties to his Woodbadge colleagues throughout the years – seeking their counsel and unselfishly sharing his expertise. He served on the staff of five National Boy Scout Jamborees and one Boy Scout World Jamboree.
John began his journey with the Order of the Arrow upon his induction to membership in 1962. It was a natural match given the Order’s roots in Native American customs, lore, and crafts. Drawing upon his vast repertoire of skills he conceived, developed, instituted, and participated in Indian seminars and craft workshops at Regional and National Order of the Arrow meetings over the span of three decades. He initiated a National Indian Seminar at Philmont Scout Ranch in 1972. At a local level, John served as a Chapter Advisor, Associate Lodge Advisor, Ceremonial Team Advisor, Lodge 50th Anniversary Committee Advisor, Chapter Officer Training Seminar Advisor, and a perennial advisor for and editor of the official publication of Owasippe Lodge – The Arrow.
John’s deep spirituality was manifest in the active practice of his faith, and his long-standing work with the Lutheran Scouters Association. He freely volunteered his time and energies to serve as a member of the Area 3 Relationships Committee, as Chairman of the regional meetings for Lutheran Scouting discussions, and as Regional Vice-President of the Lutheran Scouters Association, and as President of the Greater Chicago Area Lutheran Association of Scouters. John served as a council member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, and coordinated Chicago Area Council’s – Lutheran Scouting Committee. He was recognized with both the Lamb Award and Triune Cross Award.
Professionally, John was an instructor at Morton High School and retired as a Professor of Fine Arts from Morton College. He was a member of the council of Chicago Arts Educators, an advisor to the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, chairman of the Scholastic Art Awards Committee of Oak Park, member of the American Craft Council, and member of the Western Arts Association. He shared his love of the arts as a docent at the Museum of Natural History in Chicago, and the Mitchell Indian Museum in Evanston. He found time to offer his services as a volunteer teacher in ceramics and jewelry at the College of DuPage.
While our brother Papenauwelendam has departed, he leaves in our midst his love of art, a voracious appetite for perpetual study, and a rigid intolerance of the mediocrity society has come to accept as standard.
John Cook has transcended this world, but his mandate for action in the establishment of the Van Chapel at Owasippe Scout Reservation lives on. His efforts to revitalize the records of Owasippe Lodge and its Vigil Committee have not gone unnoticed. Work on a written history of Owasippe Lodge, one that he has played an integral role in shaping during the last four decades, has commenced. Sleep well Brother John your tireless work of eighty-three years is now done. You have held the torch high and illuminated the path for your Brothers; it is for us the living now to be dedicated to the unfinished tasks that lie on the trail ahead.
Born: September 18, 1917
Died: November 09, 2000
John L. Cook – circa 1970