September 4, 2006
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I was always proud of the fact that his wife was from my town….
When my daughter had to have arthroscopic knee surgery, our local hospital showed us a video of him having the same thing done just a few months before, by the same surgeons….
When his movie came out in 2002, my kids got it for me as a Christmas present…(they knew of my secret crush on him)…
When he looked at his wife, you could see the love in his eyes, the sheer joy on his face when he looked at his kids. He included them in every part of his life, no small feat.
He loved the Earth, and all the creatures living here, he taught our children to respect all living things for their unique beauty. Instead of using his wealth and fame for big houses, cars, drugs and ho’s, he used it to make the Earth a better place.
I admire him immensely, and I am sick for his wife, his children, their families, his friends, and all of us who appreciated what he did, everyday, every single day, to be a good steward of this planet, to get people to care a bit more about the other creatures who share the earth with us.
And as a woman who has lived through the shock of the sudden death of her other half, I ache today, thinking of the long valley his wife and children have before them.
To Steve, cheers for a life lived well and full. Thanks for all the times you made me smile….crikey!
Comments (20)
You said it so well. My heart aches for Terri and those precious kids. I’m just so damn sad … I can’t quite believe that it has really happened. I kept going back to various news sites throughout the night to see if there had been some mistake. Unfortunately, there was no mistake and he really is gone. But before he left, he taught us to appreciate all creatures — even the ones that frighten us. We really owe it to him to continue to his life’s work.
That’s a great tribute! He will be missed. I always loved his enthusiasm and his bravery.
Hear hear.
I thought about you as soon as I heard the news because I know you are a fan. He died doing something he loved and his memory will live on for many years to come.
I know when I saw the article online this morning my heart sank. Someone so full of enthusiasm and life is gone. At least he got all those years to entertain and inform us about all the animals he could find. He always said that if he was killed doing what he loved, he wanted it recorded so people could learn from his death. I guess he got his wish.
A lovely tribute. When I read about this last night I was in shock. I can’t even imagine.
It’s truly a tragedy and a great loss for us and the animal kingdom. I keep thinking, however, that he and his wife both knew the incredible risks he took at every moment and it was his choice to have a tv show and let us watch him touch the most dangerous specimens in the animal world.
There are certain people in this world who thrive on taking risks. They climb the highest mountain peaks, they travel into space, the go to uncharted territory. They know the dangers and they weigh those risks. They can’t help themselves. The adrenaline rush makes them happy.
Although I am certain he didn’t enjoy the experince, and his wife and children are so miserable now..he died doing the thing that meant the most to him. He died in a world that made him happy. That gives me comfort somehow. I hope his family can find comfort in that as well.
Very well done Shellie. So sad that he has passed at such a young age, leaving behind a wife and family.
Such a beautiful tribute Shellie. I was so sad today for his family left behind. The sadness stayed with me even at work tonight. Such a tragic loss. It’s nice to hear you liked him so much too! (I didn’t know anyone besides me that had the movie) xo
We too were stunned to hear the news…at dinner, we were still in disbelief, and immensely sad. I wondered if you knew his wife was from your town. I think you should write to her. This is beautiful.
My family is shocked from this too. We just loved him! It’s still so hard to believe that someone with that big of a personality is just gone. So fast. At least he leaves a beautiful legacy for his 2 kids.
Here! Here! Well said.
Crikey, Mate, you’ll be sorely missed. This Earth really needed you.
It is amazingly sad.. I really dont know what happens to us when we die but whatever it is it doesn’t stop us from missing them while we are here..
What a beautiful tribute to a good man!
I know, I was heartbroken when I heard!
What a sad story about Steve. That we all could make the impact that he left on the world.
Tami
So very well put, Shellie. I am sick thinking of his poor kids and his wife. He seemed like such a phenomenal person and had such a big heart for the environment. He will be sorely missed. Your tribute was very touching.
You write in a way that touches my heart. I thought of you because I knew Terri is from Eugene. And then I realized that both of you lost your husbands unexpectedly. My heart goes out to her and her young children. The little boy will only know his dad from the shows. So sad. And yet, it is weirdly comforting to know he died doing what he loved best. I know he wouldn’t have had it any other way.
This was another of your beautiful tributes. *HUGS*
the whole of Australia is in shock