John Cornell: in memoriam
Exported from Holy-Writings.com on 2026-06-20 - 1 clipping

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.
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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

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-- John Cornell: in memoriam (Used by permission of the curator)