# John Cornell: in memoriam

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-18 — 1 clipping.*

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> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: (unknown), John Cornell: in memoriam, bahai-library.com.
> ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
> 
> John Cornell: in memoriam
> 
> [various authors]
> 
> 1998/2001
> 
> 1. Cornell's personal bio (written by him in 1998 for his personal page at this library)
> 
> My name is John B. Cornell. I live
> in the California Central Valley in Fresno County. I enrolled as a Bahá'í
> youth in 1938 when 15. I wanted to enter a helping profession so went to
> dental school in San Francisco. I retired from dentistry so I can devote
> time to Bahá'í research and writing, but was talked into being editor for
> my dental society.
> 
> I serve as president of a small Kiwanis breakfast club where more than
> half the members are Bahá'ís. I started a local chapter of the United
> Nations Association, so am stuck as president of that also. I'm trying to
> do my homework to be able to give talks on the UN.
> 
> I wrote one article published by World Order ("Scientific Approach to Moral Conduct"), made a
> compilation on the National Convention published in Spanish, and made a
> summer school course on Bahá'í law with my mother, which she taught for
> years. I pioneered spiritual assembly arbitration of divorce, with Shoghi
> Effendi's cabled permission to do so.
> 
> I am legal conservator for my only child, my mentally ill son, who
> lives in a board and care home in Fresno. Every Wednesday morning I pick
> him up and take him to breakfast at my Kiwanis Club. He has been a Bahá'í
> since birth, but needs supervision. I take him to all Bahá'í community
> activities.
> 
> For strengths, maybe courage in the face of adversity. Nurturant to a
> fault. Forever problem-solving.
> 
> For physical characteristics, I am 5'8'' tall and used to be
> interested in sports but now am trying to keep from falling apart!
> 
> John
> 
> 2. In Memoriam
> 
> Date: Tues, 26 Jun 2001
> 
> From: BCCA Coordinating Committee
> 
> To: Bahai Announce (bahai-announce@BCCA.Org)
> 
> Subject: The Passing of Dr. John Cornell
> 
> In the Name of God, the All-Glorious!
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Friends:
> 
> It is was great sadness that we must report to you the sudden passing
> of Dr. John Cornell, one of the moderators of Bahai-Announce and an ardent
> supporter of the Bahá'í Computer and Communications Association.
> 
> Dr. Cornell, a long-time resident of Reedley, California, died in his
> home, the apparent victem of a heart attack, on June 24, 2001, at the
> relatively young age of 77 years. He had passed away suddenly, alone in his
> house, and it was only through the efforts of some concerned friends, in
> particular Mrs. Shirley Macias and Mrs. Virginia P. Healy that his passing
> was discovered. After John had failed to respond to attempts to contact him,
> the police were contacted who found that John had passed away in his home, as
> if he has just fallen asleep.
> 
> John shall be remembered for his faithful support of the BCCA and his
> devoted work over the last three and a half years as moderator for the
> Bahai-Announce list, the flagship service offered by the BCCA. This is a
> thankless task requiring careful judgment and good human relationship
> skills, all of which John exemplified. He will be sorely missed. In fact, it
> appears that he may have passed away after having complete his normal shift
> for Bahai-Announce.
> 
> John has been a long standing supporter of the BCCA and provided
> continuous encouragement and countless hours of service in numerous BCCA
> efforts - always with an eye towards better understanding and improving the
> services. He first attended a BCCA meeting at an ABS conference 5 years
> ago, where we were trying to explain what the BCCA was and what was
> happening on the Internet. He was inspired about the Internet and what we
> were doing, and at that time, gave a check made out to the BCCA, our first
> contribution! John was instrumental in getting several new lists started and
> was a constant calming, supportive, and positive voice in many arenas.
> 
> We understand that John was very involved with Hmong teaching, often
> driving a group of six teen-age girls all over the state to different
> events, with the radio blaring rap and hip-hop tunes to keep them happy on
> the long trip. He was also instrumental in trying to establish social
> contacts with many of the Hmong adults.
> 
> He also volunteered to drive people around Fresno County who were
> unable to get around to their doctor's appointments and other locations, as
> needed.
> 
> John was very active in the United Nations Association, in the area.
> Years ago, John and his mother developed and published a study course on
> Bahá'í Law.
> 
> John was the recipient of at least one letter written on behalf of
> the Guardian by Ruhiyyih Khanum, with a postscript from Shoghi Effendi
> himself. This letter was useful to quote in discussions, which dealt among
> other topics, with the subject of chastity.
> 
> Dr. Cornell was a member of the Bahá'í Faith of long standing. He was
> born in 1922 and is survived by a son, John Cornell Jr, of Fresno, a
> brother, Dr. Charles Cornell, of Honduras and a niece, in Detroit, who has
> just recently finished dental school.
> 
> Since John resided in the Bahá'í group of Reedley, California, the
> Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Fresno, California, is handling
> the funeral arrangements. When we have details of these, we shall post them.
> 
> The Coordinating Committee wishes to commend the Bahai-Announce
> moderators, Mrs. Shirley Macias and Mrs. Virginia Healy as well as a number
> of other friends, including Corkey and Michael Eisinger for their swift
> action and information about the life of Dr. Cornell and extend our profound
> gratitude to the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Fresno,
> California.
> 
> We humbly request the friends to remember John and his family in
> their prayers.
> 
> With warmest Bahá'í greetings,
> BCCA Coordinating Committee:
> 
> Peter Wise, Chairman (Ireland)
> 
> Ingrid Olson, Secretary (United States)
> 
> Hank Mudge, Treasurer (United States)
> 
> Mark Towfiq, Sysop (United States)
> 
> Marion Finley, Vice Chair (Japan)
> 
> Bahai-Announce Moderators:
> 
> Virginia P. Healy
> 
> Shirley Macias
> 
> METADATA
> 
> Views20223 views since posted 1998; last edit 2024-12-27 22:42 UTC;
> 
> previous at archive.org.../personal_john_cornell;
> URLs changed in 2010, see archive.org.../bahai-library.org
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> Shortlink: bahai-library.com/2261
> Citation: ris/2261
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> — *John Cornell: in memoriam (Used by permission of the curator)*