Denny was recruited to the CopperDog by Jeff Foss. Denny retired from MTU working on both audio and sound engineering and information technology. He was well known for his recording studio having recorded multiple local and regional performers. You saw Denny as we setup and then in the announcer’s booth with Todd VanDyke the voice of the CopperDog. We were very fortunate to have Denny’s expertise.
Here is Denny’s obituary

Frank Moe was one of the favorite mushers who was a great friend of the CopperDog. Frank lived a full life and impacted many many people.

Frank was honored by the CopperDog with a memorial position in the 2022 race and our rememberance orange hats.

Here is Frank’s obituary

Read more about Frank’s life in this article from the Minnesota Star Tribune

Duane Bennett passed away July 31st, 2019. Duane and his wife Joni returned to the Copper Country, which enabled them to participate in three CopperDog race seasons. Joni continues to be an active participant and important volunteer for the race. Despite suffering debilitating injuries as a result of military service and having his life cut short by cancer, Duane managed to live a full and active life.

Duane and Joni were active mushers themselves for over thirty years. The love of the dogs was what attracted them to the sport. Duane went on to be Race Director of the UP 200 in Marquette.

Joni reported that their biggest kennel was 17 dogs of Siberian and Alaskan Huskies. Duane always said the female dogs were better because they listened to the musher.

Joni fondly recalls Duane reporting that during a race in New Hampshire the temperatures kept rising so much so that all of the men finished the race without shirts on!

Duane was a Korean War Veteran who sustained injuries while serving on a Naval Aircraft Carrier. A hero in many ways.

It is with a heavy heart that CopperDog announces the passing of a longtime family member, Jo Cauvin.

Jo was a founding incorporator of CopperDog, a board member and officer, and the skills she brought from her corporate background were invaluable in guiding the organization through its infancy and into the present day.

Jo personally took on the obtaining of land permits, waivers, liability forms, and insurance. All the “Invisible” tasks with no glory, but without them CopperDog would not exist. There would be no race. A week before her death, Jo was still working on these tasks, tying up loose ends for the 10th annual 2019 race.

Jo was also a vital resident of her beloved Eagle Harbor and handled the organization of that checkpoint, personally raising the sponsorship money, every year, for that stop on the race.

We will miss her insight, business acumen, loyalty and tireless energy. But most of all we are grateful she chose to devote her considerable talents to CopperDog.

We send our love and condolences to her family and friends. Thank you for sharing her with us.

You can read Jo’s obituary here