Goodbye Sir Ed

[mickthinks]

Edmund Hillary has died.


BBC NEWS | Everest hero Edmund Hillary dies

"Life's a bit like mountaineering - never look down."

[BigBlue2]

What a bummer He always struck me as a gentleman.

[Angakuk]

Doesn't being knighted sort of make you a gentleman, by definition?

[Petra]

Originally Posted by Angakuk

Doesn't being knighted sort of make you a gentleman, by definition?

I guess that would depend on how loose your definition of "gentleman" is. I don't consider Bono to be a gentleman, for example.

Anyway, I was just popping in to post about Sir Edmund's death, so thank you for already starting a thread about him, mickthinks. I remember him coming to speak at my high school, and holding us all captivated with his tales of intrepid exploration and adventure. He was a marvelous man - and yes - he was a gentle man. He did a lot for NZ youth through such schemes as the Spirit of Adventure sailing vessel, and his camp for school children at Mt. Tongariro.

He was a most special individual, and NZ will moarn his loss quite keenly. He was one of the people we all felt extremely proud of, and not just because he climbed Everest when others said it couldn't be done - but because he was an extraordinary human being anyway.


Thank you, Sir. Thank you for your life's work. And RIP, beloved Sir Edmund. Long may you live in our hearts, for you were of the heart. A special man, indeed. One in a million.

Crazy old bean.

He will be missed.

[vremya]

I thought he was already dead. (oops)

[BDS]

On the positive side, if there is a heaven up there, Sir Edmund will be more familiar with it than most of us, having practically reached it some 50+ years ago. Also, now he gets to hang out with George Mallory (not to mention Hermann Buhl, Willie Unsoeld, Lionel Terray, and Tenzing Norghay).

[Octavia]

He's getting a state funeral later in the week, I think.

We'll miss the old bastard. He was a really decent bloke.

[mickthinks]

You kiwis'll be glad to hear that his death has been a big news story here with lots of coverage not just of his Everest achievement but also of his life's work with the sherpas and with New Zealand young people. I was wondering how big a thing you guys would make it, and I'm delighted he's getting a state funeral.

[Octavia]

It's news in a lot of places - apparently it's quite big in India and Nepal as well (unsurprising, given the level of his involvement and charity work in that part of the world). There are some really nice articles about him floating around the place...

Details of the funeral are still being worked out, but I understand that (by his own request) he will be cremated and have his ashes scattered in the waters of the Hauraki Gulf.

[Petra]

I know I'm a few days late, but did anyone watch Sir Ed's funeral on telly? I watched some of it and found myself crying like a baby. Between the passing of Sir Ed and Hone Tuwhare - two of NZ's favourite sons - I was deeply moved. The passing of these great and gentle men marks an and of an era for me. Gentle men are passing away, and it seems like they are being replaced by thugs and thieves. *sigh*

I did get a moments giggle though, when I had a flashback to The Big Lebowski over Sir Ed's ashes being scattered on the Hauraki Gulf. I hope the wind is in the right direction on that day!

Anyway, Sir Ed's funeral was almost cathartic for me. I haven't sobbed like that in years. I wish people like Sir Ed and Hone Tuwhare could live forever. We need them, now more than ever.