From the Pulse24 web-site [ http://www.pulse24.com ]
David Suzuki Recalls Bob Hunter
To say CityPulse
Ecology Specialist Bob Hunter touched a lot of lives is like
wondering if opposing politicians will argue. There’s simply no
question about it.
Since Bob died Monday of the prostate cancer that consumed him too soon
at 63, tributes have been pouring in from around the world. Among them,
the man who may be one of his natural successors – noted Canadian
scientist and activist Dr. David Suzuki.
“Bob, you knew how dire our situation is, but you never gave up, you
never sold out, and you kept demanding more from us,” he wrote in a
touching email reproduced in its entirety below.
“I'm sure you're somewhere laughing - you know even the richest, most
powerful, nastiest son-of-a-bitch is going to die too - but he isn't
going where you are.”
But while you’ve heard a lot of what the famous have had to say since
the shock of his death touched the world, you may not know of the
smaller stories. Like the one told by Dinah Ellisat-Winlaw.
She used to be one of CityPulse’s best camerapersons. But when her
duties took her out on a shoot with Bob aboard Captain Paul Watson’s
Sea Shepherd to document the Macau Indians' hunting of whales off the
Washington coast, it literally changed her life forever.
“It had such an effect on me that I basically quit my job as a
cameraman for Citytv and sold my house,” she recalls. She’s since
joined the Sea Shepherd Society and spent five years committed to its
cause of saving the environment.
“If it hadn't have been for Bob, you know, introducing me to the wilds
and wonders of marine wildlife and how important it is for us as human
beings to hold onto that … I never would have had such an incredible
life,” she marvels.
It’s an incredible life inspired by a man who lived one of his own. And
while Bob’s personal fight is over, his philosophical one never will
be.
Which is somehow fitting for a man who lived in the centre ring of the
world’s circus and believed the planet was literally the Greatest Earth
on Show.
-------------------------------------------------------
A memorial service for Bob has now been confirmed. Here's where and
when it will be held.
Bob Hunter Memorial
Sunday May 15th
2pm
Great Hall
Hart House
U. of T.
(416) 978-2452.
The Robert Hunter Scholarship for Environmental Studies
Send donations to:
Alanna Jones, CFRE
Senior Development Officer
Innis College,
University of Toronto,
2 Sussex Avenue
Toronto, Ont.
M5S 1J5
(416) 978-0169
David Suzuki's Email
Dear Bob:
I'm writing this to you because I know you're still here - everyone in
this room is keeping you alive in their memories.
Thank you, Bob, for a life so richly and loudly lived and shared.
Thank you for recognizing in me, a future ally - you were the first
journalist to write of me approvingly in the 1960s when I was still a
young academic and you were younger still but already a seasoned
warrior.
Along with Rachel Carson, you inspired me with vision and action, your
words stirred me with passion and urgency, your humour kept me sane.
Bob, you knew how dire our situation is, but you never gave up, you
never sold out, and you kept demanding more from us.
I'm sure you're somewhere laughing - you know even the richest, most
powerful, nastiest son-of-a-bitch is going to die too - but he isn't
going where you are.
I hope when it's my turn, I'll be lucky enough to join you and all my
eco-heroes.
You left too soon but we were lucky to have known you.
David Suzuki
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