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Posted on: 7/19/2008 Alumni Weekend Celebration of Buck’s Life On behalf of Camp Ak-O-Mak, I would like to express a heart felt “thank you” to all of our guests, Ahmic Lake neighbours and dedicated Ak-O-Mak alumni who attended the Alumni Weekend Celebration of Buck’s life on July 12th. The Main House was packed to the walls and its balcony filled with campers and visitors from as far away as Australia and Hong Kong, all gathering to say a final “good-bye” to their friend and legendary personality, Buck Dawson. Camp Ak-O-Mak’s sailing and diving coach, Jan Moldenhauer, gave Buck’s eulogy, describing the man that she knew as a dear friend for over 40 years. Please click on “Jan’s Words about Buck” to read Jan’s moving tribute. Together, the 250 or so people in attendance enjoyed a beautiful DVD (produced by the International Swimming Hall of Fame) reviewing Buck’s life-giving spirit, his endless antics and his contributions to the world of swimming. The Ak-O-Mak girls and the Chikopi boys each sang a song and guests rose to share their favourite memories of Buck. Was there ever another man who accomplished so much and made so many laugh in a life time?! Later, everyone made their way down to the main dock, glad to escape the heat and humidity of the Main House, to watch the Ak-O-Mak War Canoe paddle out to commit some of Buck’s ashes to the beautiful lake he loved so much. In case you didn’t know, Buck took a dip in Ahmic Lake every morning from May to November, ever-immune to the chilling temperatures of spring and fall! The wailing of the (submarine) “Ooga” throughout camp signaled the end of the War Canoe ceremony…and, in some ways, the end of an era. Although we are now without both Buck and Rosemary, we still have all of the great traditions and indomitable Ak-O-Mak spirit that they taught us. Unlike the buildings that eventually deteriorate or the people that come and go each season, these are the things that last, the important “stuff of life” that has been passed down through the generations for the past 80 years…and hopefully, for generations to come. Well, on Buck’s day the weather held and held…The sun shone under hazy humid skies as guests arrived. Lake breezes blew gently as the War Canoe went out, a few grayish clouds moved in when refreshments were served on the grand Main House porch. Everyone mingled, enjoying happy conversation and catching up with long lost friends and cabin mates. The weather held until the last of the sandwiches, cookies, lemonade and iced tea were devoured, and finally, as though to draw us yet closer together on that porch, the heavens opened up and the rain fell! It was a magnificent summer thunder shower, the kind that Buck loved, perhaps sent on purpose to add to Chikopi’s adventure as they canoed home on this memorable day. Fortunately for us, the power remained on and Ak-O-Mak hosted her alumni and guests to a beautiful prime rib dinner (one of Buck’s favourites!) prepared by Chefs John Hamilton and Jimmy Lai. It was indeed a gathering! It was a gathering of people who loved Buck, who love their rustic old Camp Ak-O-Mak and who returned to enjoy a day or two of being a kid again. It is exactly what Buck would have wanted them to do!