In Memory of a Family Man
by Jennifer Satterwhite

One of my kids' favorite shows to watch has been "The Crocodile Hunter". I must admit, I have sat for hours during the show's marathons on Discover Channel and adored watching it myself. (And I have learned a thing or two while doing so!) Steve Irwin, famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchcry "Crikey!" was killed today. This family man with a wife and two children who lived a dangerous life, but was always full of enthusiasm was only 44 years old.

Irwin was filming an underwater documentary on the Great Barrier Reef in northeastern Queensland state when the accident occurred. A helicopter carrying paramedics flew to the island, but he died from a stingray barb to the heart, ABC reported on its Web site.

What a sad day for his family and friends. He was a man who loved his life, loved his wife and children and loved all living things. He will be missed. He took his show "The Crocodile Hunter" and made it into a feature film, and developed the Australia Zoo as a tourist attraction in southern Queensland.

Even with recent negative publicity about putting his son in danger having him too close to the crocodiles, he was nevertheless, very much a family man. (As can be documented if you have ever watched the show and his complete excitement over the birth of his daughter Bindy.)

For any Dad (or anyone for that matter) to die at such a young age and leave behind a family is tragic.

May he rest in peace.

BlogHer Contributing Editor Jenn Satterwhite also blogs at Mommy Needs Coffee, Aggroqueen and Mommybloggers.

Img source: AP Photo

Submitted by Jennifer Satterwhite (view blog) on Mon, 09/04/2006 - 00:35

Comments

 

We're sad at our house about this...

Husband gets up at break of to head off to work, but came back briefly this morning - first words out of his mouth? "Steve Irwin died!" He's been a huge fan forever and we always noticed how he did EVERYTHING with his family - first his wife and then his kids. They must be broken hearted beyond words.

Nerd's Eye View

Submitted by Pam on Sun, 09/03/2006 - 23:56
 

I am sad also

My condolences for the untimely passing of Mr. Steve Irwin,The Crocodile Hunter. I too am a dad and I have a three year old daughter who I adore and I am 45. I'd just like to share a story about Mr. Irwin. On one of his episodes he is responsible for clearing an area in Northwest Florida for some Army Ranger candidates. That area is part of Duke Field Florida which is full of all kinds of unmentionables inclusive of snakes,scorpions and spiders. Only The Crocodile Hunter could have cleared it and he did. He would have made a great Special Forces soldier. My thanx to his wife and his family for all the good he brought and knowledge from Australia,I just feel like he left this world too soon. Though I only watched Mr. Irwin on my television I feel like I have lost a friend.

SSGT Sheldon"Chip"Rice(former USAF police & Special Operations with the 919th SOG Duke field Florida & SP with the 50th TFW Hahn Germany,315th SFS Charleston AFB,SC & the 332nd ESFS Al Jaber Air Base Kuwait)& Crikey REST IN PEACE STEVE-HOO-AH)

Submitted by sheldonrice on Mon, 09/04/2006 - 00:55
 

My husband is forever

My husband is forever calling me over to his computer to see some must-read thing he's found. It's usually some sports thing I could care less about, but when he called me over to read this story, I was floored. I can't believe Steve Irwin is gone! I know his family is heartbroken, and he will be missed worldwide. He was an absolute force when it came to nature and wildlife preservation.

I'm just in shock.

Join my fight against Congenital Heart Defects!
http://heartwalk.kintera.org/charlottenc/novasheart
Nova's Heart

Submitted by Erin Monahan on Mon, 09/04/2006 - 00:08
 

Crikey. :(

I must say, this write up was also beautiful. He will be missed by the (nerdy) Hatfield family.

Family Living; Hatfield Style
Jenna

Submitted by JennaHatfield on Mon, 09/04/2006 - 00:44
 

Jane Tomlinson from Leeds UK

Please also help Jane & Mike Tomlinson in their continued efforts to raise money(2 million US dollars so far) for cancer & for UK and US based charities. Go to Jane's appeal.com & A Happy Labor Day to all especially the family of Steve Irwin

Submitted by sheldonrice on Mon, 09/04/2006 - 01:01
 

crocodile hunter

WE SEND OUR GREATEST SYMPATHY FOR THE IRWIN FAMILY AND ARE SAD AT HIS LOSS. WHAT A GREAT MAN TO THE WILDLIFE WORLD.
FROM TWO ANIMAL LOVERS IN SOUTH AFRICA (CAPETOWN)

Submitted by REVELL on Mon, 09/04/2006 - 07:19
 

I am so sad

I am saddened by this news. We hadn't heard in our family as we have teenagers who don't watch the show any more. We have watched many and I admire how he has brought a love of all things crikey to the world.

Linda
Musings of a Domestic Goddess

Submitted by Domestic Goddess on Mon, 09/04/2006 - 09:35
 

Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin

OUR ENTIRE FAMILY AND EXTENDED FAMILY LOVED TO WATCH HIS BRAVERY WHILE HE WAS ENTERTAINING AND EDUCATING ALL OF US. IT IS HEARTBREAKING THAT HE HAD TO BE TAKEN FROM THIS WORLD AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE. HE WAS WONDERFULLY FUN TO WATCH. HEARTFELT WISHES TO HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN. THANK YOU TERRI FOR SHARING HIM WITH US. HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED BY ANYONE WHO EVER HAD THE CHANCE TO WATCH HIS SHOWS. ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG. AND HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST!!

Submitted by debo57 on Mon, 09/04/2006 - 09:40
 

I too was so sad today when

I too was so sad today when I read this.


scoutj.com

Submitted by scoutj on Mon, 09/04/2006 - 14:33
 

Crocodile Hunter-Steve Irwin

How sad to hear about Steve Irwin's death. I feel sympathy for his wife and two children. My two boys (when young) would watch him on TV and loved his shows. I have to admit, I loved him too. Prayers to Terry and the children. God Bless. Many Many people will miss him greatly.
Take Care and God Bless
Chiapet53

Submitted by chiapet53 on Mon, 09/04/2006 - 19:03
 

hubby told me this morning

I was getting ready for work this morning when hubby woke up, rubbing his eyes, and incredulously delivered the news he'd heard before turning in. I was a stunned. I loved watching his stuff, honestly, and my son (3 1/2) was just starting to get into him. I have an ozzie friend who'd sent him some cool steve irwin puzzles and books. He'll be missed by millions, but, I feel pain for his two kids and wife who have to go on without him. I'm sure they'll do his memory proud.

Melanie Perry
***not all who wander are lost***
Mistress of the Dorkness

Submitted by Mistress Of The Dorkness on Mon, 09/04/2006 - 20:32
 

Farewell, Steve

I was also incredibly sad to hear the news about Steve Irwin's passing this morning. He did so much to help the plight of wildlife conservation, and it was clear he adored his family.

Did you see the special on Animal Planet today? Listening to him talk about how special his kids are to him, and seeing the tears form in his eyes when he spoke about looking forward to passing the torch on to his children made me cry. He had such a bright and exuberant personality, and the world will be a little darker without it.

Christina
A Mommy Story

Submitted by amommystory on Mon, 09/04/2006 - 21:06
 

This is so sad, and reinforces my feeling
that

once you become a parent, you have a responsibility to curtail dangerous activities as much as possible, so that you preserve your life *for the sake of your children.* This is a topic that my husband and I have discussed often, because there are high-risk activities in which he used to take part (or wanted to), and no longer does now that he is a father. Me, I've always been a chicken, but I know that I won't be doing any more over-fences riding or a couple of other equestrian activities that I used to do before I had a daughter who needed me. I treasure my own life and health more than ever I did before she came along.

I guess I never felt quite the same about Steve since the whole dangling-the-infant-over-the-croc incident. I feel so much sorrow and compassion for his family, and wish, for their sakes, that he could have left the risky behavior (and yes, I understand that the stingray incident was a seriously freaky occurrence) to others once he was a dad--he still could have continued to make a HUGE impact, as he had done his whole life. My prayers certainly go out to his family and all those whose lives he touched.

Belinda

Submitted by ninjapoodles on Tue, 09/05/2006 - 03:07
 

Tearfully Missed

I am a huge fan of the Croc Man...I use to think man this guy is nuts...but if I had the guts I would have done the same thing...I enjoy creatures small and big and enjoyed watching anything the Croc Man was doing, I was very saddened to hear that he had passed on...my heart goes out to his wonderful wife and beautiful kids...He seemed to be not only an awesome croc wrestler but also a wonderful husband and father. Best wishes to his family and friends in their time of mourning...remember you are not alone..we are all mourning with you..Love for Steve.The Croc Man

Submitted by Zena on Tue, 09/05/2006 - 04:28
 

rest in peace

What a tragedy. May he rest in peace and may his family have the strength to get through this.

Kat Nishida
http://katnsatoshiinjapan.blogspot.com
http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/496a8/

Submitted by Kat Nishida on Fri, 09/08/2006 - 04:42