Candelight Memorial Honors Dr. Cook

A candlelit crowd gathered on Meztger Lawn in memory of Clyde Cook to listen to stories of Biola's late great leader.

Lehua Kamakawiwoole

On Monday, April 14, at 8 p.m. Biola students, staff, friends and family gathered at the Metzger Lawn to spend a time of worship and prayer as they remembered President Emeritus Dr. Clyde Cook.

The memorial began with alumnus and former AS president Matt Kersh leading the crowd in Cook’s favorite worship songs: “Amazing Grace”, “It Is Well With My Soul”, and “He Leadeth Me”.

During “He Leadeth Me”, Cook’s children, Laura and Craig Cook began the lighting of the candles that were given before entering the memorial. “The significance behind lighting the candle is to represent the light of the Savior our Lord,” said John Beck, Dean of Students at Biola University. “I hope Christ’s light will shine greater this night, as we were touched by His light, through the model of Dr. Cook.”

Following the candle-lighting, several people came up and gave their most memorable encounters with Cook, including Jan Lynn, a representative of Biola alumni, Simona Talberga, a student from Latvia, Raphael Payne, a professor at Biola for 38 years, and Candace Cook a sophomore at Biola who is also Cook’s granddaughter.

After the music, Lynn recalled an instance last year when Cook and Anna Belle joined the senior dinner. When he found out that the student he was talking to had not been able to sample the food before they took it away, Cook went directly to the back and got her some food.

“This was a great example of a serving leader,” said Lynn.

Talberga met Cook at a church in Latvia. On her first week of Biola, when she was on her way to music class, she heard someone calling on her name. It was Cook. He took time to talk to her, even though he had other important business to attend to.

“I want to take his example and show God’s love to other people around me,” said Talberga. “I want to impact my country, Latvia, for the Glory of Christ.”

Payne said that every time he met Cook after being diagnosed with a muscle decaying disease, Cook would tell him he had prayed for him that day.

Payne knew he was being sincere.

“I know that I walk today due to his prayer and due to prayers from brothers like him…Clyde was a servant leader, prayer leader… he was Moses… I will miss him a lot,” said Payne.

The last speaker, Candace Cook, expressed her sincere gratitude to all of the Biola community as her family, relatives and even she had received lots of words of encouragement, flowers and love.

After all the speakers, President Corey said a closing prayer glorifying and thanking God for Cook and his family.

After the service, Victoria Smith, University Events Manager and part of the team that planned Dr. Cook’s retirement activities, remembered her interactions with him fondly.

“He (Dr. Cook) was an incredibly gracious man, consistent as a leader who really took an interest in everyone who came into contact with him,” Said Smith.

Also attending the service was senior Brittany Lane, who loved the leader that lived by example, even in his marriage.

“There is this oneness between Dr. Cook and his wife,” said Lane, “he even said we decided to retire, instead of I decided to retire”.

For Lane, Cook’s life was a testimony for more than just Biola.

“Humility, availability and his partnership is a huge testimony to Biola community and to the world of a godly marriage.