American Oil and Gas Reporter - August 2015 - 17

AOGR Founder,
Charles W. "Cookie" Cookson,
Passes On

here was a perpetual twinkle in his eye and his smile
was contagious. He inspired a gazillion other grins and
plenty of laughter over his lifetime, too.
But there were times when those eyes grew weary. Indeed,
during good and tough times, my father typically left for work
before the dawn of light. After returning home to bless dinner,
he often would go back to work until who knows when. And,
dear readers, he sweat bullets along with the oil and gas
producers and suppliers he served for more than 50 years,
during downturns such as the one we are weathering today.
Charles W. "Cookie" Cookson, founder and publisher emeritus
of The American Oil & Gas Reporter, died peacefully with
family at his side, July 17, 2015. He was 92.
Dad published the first issue of AOGR in April 1958, an
event celebrated in honor of his work with a 50th Anniversary
issue in April 2008. But it was as much a tribute to the industry's
success and the role of the independent producer/operator associations and other organizations that protect it. It also recognized
many of the industry's legends, family businesses and industry
giants, and the bright young men and women who truly are the
engine of today's energy industry. Of course, it also focused on
the leading-edge technology that oil and gas operators, and

their service and supply companies continue to hone as I write
these words. He wouldn't have it any other way.
In the magazine's early days, Dad was quick to apply his
military training as an adjutant to his colonel in World War II,
when he carried crucial communications to battalion commanders
in the field about strategic maneuvers. It was imperative to get
the exact message to the right leaders, without any interjection.
Such was the genesis of the fundamental editorial principle
on which The American Oil & Gas Reporter is based. Cookie
Cookson made AOGR's hallmark one of credibility, with its
policy of strict neutrality and full attribution. He often reminded
me to instill these words into the minds of every new writer,
editor and special correspondent: "The industry does not need a
publication telling the captains of the industry what is right or
wrong; the men and women in the business know their businesses
better than any journalist ever will."
Dad understood the importance and complexities of work
conducted by the producer/operator industry associations we
proudly serve, as well as the contributions from academia and
the technical societies. He grew the magazine with such a keen
mind over time. He knew early on that an industry communications
network in print would complement the important work of the
state and regional associations, and other industry institutions
that serve oil and gas producers. Situations will always arise
that are unique to marginal producers, regional geology, land
access, and America's biggest basins.
He made sure readers received the latest news about changing
and late-breaking federal legislative and regulatory issues. As a
result, the magazine became a tool through which the elected
officers, association executives, and producer/operator members
could study their implications and respond at the state, regional
and even local levels. And he was acutely aware that while
federal onshore and offshore rules affected every producer, legislation that more often hurt or helped producers took place at
state and even local levels.
From the beginning, Dad had a vision of a national publication
with an in-depth state and regional focus, realizing that while
independent producers might have central offices, their operations
typically were located in diverse regions, and readers needed
information from all those areas. The publication evolved over
time to also feature editorial contributions from experts on the
latest industry technology, and its economic implications for
more efficient and successful exploration, drilling and production
operations.
Some readers think of AOGR as Managing Editor Bill Campbell's and Charlie's magazine. Others know it as Technology
Editor Tim Beims' and mine. But it will always be Cookie's.
His candle burns bright!

-Charlie, and the Cookson and AOGR Families
AUGUST 2015 17

American Oil and Gas Reporter - August 2015

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