Goodbye Steve - Thanks For All The Snakes Mate

I never got a chance to meet Steve, and we were never successful in bringing him to our site like we have been with many other celebrity herpers. Though we tried and he tried, our schedules never quite meshed. I did talk to him at length on the phone a number of times over the years, in fact the first time he called me I hung up on him thinking it was one of my friends playing games and using a bad Aussie accent. A quick glance at the caller ID after setting down the receiver provided me with one of the bigger "DOH!" moments in my life, and I called him back and we both laughed about it.

On our kingsnake.com site Steve was loved by most, dissed by a few, but regardless of personal opinion he probably did more in the 90's to raise the profile of reptiles in the general public than anyone since Marlon Perkins. His passing is a great blow to our culture and our community and we owe much to Steve for re-kindling the interest in reptiles in today's youth.

Although I never met him, I considered him a friend, he always took and returned my calls and he was certainly not indifferent like many celebs. He loved animals, his family, his friends and his fans. He will be greatly missed by everyone that was touched by his work, whether they were a herper or just a fan. He died doing what he loved and probably that is the way he would have wanted it.

Goodbye Steve, thanks for all the snakes mate. I hope there is a good place to herp when you get where you are going.

Comments

[jeff hoffman]

absolutely tragic.

[Paul Snyder]

Nice message, Jeff! I think it's great that you were able to speak to him personally and found him to be genuine. Steve will be greatly missed. Truly, one of a kind person with a passion seldom displayed. Rest in peace, Steve!

[Chris R]

right in the heart? that really sucks.

[W von Papineäu]

Jeff;

Though I never had the opportunity to meet Mr Irwin myself (I did however briefly meet Terri), he has and will remain a significant influence on what I do in my modest attempts at supporting herpetology and herptoculture ... and how I do it.

Steve Irwin was the original 'Love what you do and love doing it' herper. The over-the-top passion and humour that he displayed while chasing down various scaled things for over 2 million-viwers on television has made my efforts at reptile education so much easier when I get the opening question "I saw on the Crocodile hunter that ..."

Right off the bat the (Canadian) public in the shopping mall, library or classroom had a single point of common reference, admired by presenter and questioner alike, on which to base our discussion. Mr Irwin opened more doors to allow me to do herp education than all my own letters and phone calls combined.

And while the 'Newt Man' will never match the 'Crocodile Hunter' in reach, influence or public affection, I think Mr Irwin would have been happy to know that he was a major influence in creating another 'wildlife warrior'. I can only hope that I do his example justice.

There's a historical phrase I like that I think does justice to rare individuals ... "I do not think that we shall see his like again soon".

My respects and condolences to his family and friends;
Wes

[Lisa S]

A sincere goodbye to Steve Irwin. I am deeply sadden by the death of Steve. I feel like I knew him just from watching his programs on tv. The world has never seen a more passionate and dedicated person. If it weren't for Steve I never would have fallen in love with reptiles.

[Mike webb]

I watched his shows since I was a kid, and he was guy I wanted to be when I grew up.
Much Respect is due, and Much Respect is given to Steve Irwin.

[Robert A. Dunn]

RIP Steveo. His passion and excitement about reptiles was contagious. It is a big loss to the reptile community, and conservation in general, throughout the world. My heart goes out to Terri, Bindi, and Bob.

[John Gale]

I fortunately had the opportunity to meet Steve in person and I can only tell you that if you thought he was just putting on a front for the show, you were wrong. Steve was so passionate about conservation and animals. I hope that one thing Steve has taught all of us is that we can make a difference in this world for both humans and animals. Please keep his family Terri, Binghi, and Bob in your thoughts and prayers.

[Willis Dunn]

Although, we sometimes didn't agree with his antics, we all agreed with his message. That is what Steve made sure came through everytime. He made learning about the reptiles entertaining. He did so much for reptile awareness that it is immeasurable. Our prayers go out to Terri and the rest of the family and friends. Thanks for all the entertainment and knowledge Steve, you will be sadly missed.

[matt]

People who don't understand animals,the ones who only thought of Irwin as a wacky tv star will never understand the tragedy the world of conservation has suffered.I would not be a reptile lover if not for him,I truely believe many people's thoughts on reptiles and other animals were changed for the better thanks to this man.He will be missed for his love of life and for all that he gave us.Thanks for everything Steve,you will be missed.

[kevin watson]

THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE, i can remember watching his show evertime it was on since i was like 8. im almost 19 now and Steve Irwin is the sole reason i got into herpetology. This is my passion. Steve Irwin has been my biggest herp idol since i can remember. This is a great loss to the world and the herp community. how can sutch a terible thing happen to someone who has done so much good in his life. Steve Irwin you are loved and will not be forgotten.

[Jake]

I dont post much, but Steve has been my idol since i was like 12 or 13. I washed his shows religiously and could never get enough of Irwin. One of my major goals was to go to Australia and meet Steve in person, thats one of the things i said i would do in my lifetime before i die, and it really hurts that i will never get that chance now. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in the wildlife community, his family, his friends, anyone that has ever been effected by Steve. Lets not mourn his death, as hard as it is, but lets celebrate his life, as being one of the most sincere, enthusiastic, grateful, and modest men in the world..GOOD BYE Steve..

[Joe Rollo - Bci Joe]

The world will know few like Steve...
The intensity and degree of his passione and dedication to life and all animals go unmatched.

I had a chance to meet Steve and work at the Australia Zoo some years back... I really wish I hadn't passed that up.

This is a very sad day in my life.

My prayers are with his family, friends, Zoo, and all those affected by this now.

One Love,
Joe Rollo - Bci Joe

[Jason Bartoli]

Our sympathy to Steve's family and friends. He's given us so much! He will never be forgotten.
Jay and Megan

[Conrad]

Well, what can one say that hasn't already been said...He will be surely missed by my entire family. It made people understand what I do better when I went on a house call to do a removal, and someone would say,"So...you're kinda like that Croc Hunter guy...", and all you can do was shake your head in agreement, because if it weren't for him, they probably wouldn't have called for removal and just killed the reptile in question.

My five year old daughter said it best this morning when I told her he was gone and quietly said,"Woah..." What can you really say when someone that has so much in common with what a lot of us are doing passes.

He was a brother of herpers everywhere, and we'll always remember him. R.I.P Steve.

[Jeff Hardwick]

I'll miss Steves enthusiastic antics and his obvious passion for all wildlife. He was a very unique individual and he'll be sorely missed by his fans and I'm so sorry for Terri and the kids.
Jeff

[ALFRED DELMONTE]

THE WORLD HAS LOST ONE OF THE MOST ACTIVE ENVIROMENTALIST AND NATURALIST,I DID NOT MEET STEVE BUT HE HAS BEEN A GREAT INFLUENCE IN MY LIFE HERE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC WORKING AS A HERPETOLOGIST,HE WILL ME MISSED BY EVERYONE I HAVE NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO SAY THAT I HAVE MET ANYONE WHO DID NOT KNOW WHO HE WAS, WHEN I TRY TO EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE WHAT I DO, MY ONLY WAY OF EXPLAINING IT IS SAYING ´´ HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE CROCODILE HUNTER, THATS WHAT I DO´´ AND THEN COMES ALL THE GREAT QUESTIONS I LOVE ANSWERING.

STEVE WE WILL ALL MISS YOU!

[Nokturnel Tom Stevens]

The man gave his blood sweat and tears to protect reptiles and all wildlife. There will never be another person like him, he was one of the most incredible people I have ever seen. Knowing he is gone is just tragic beyond words. I think many of us feel as if we have lost someone we knew personally. He was willing to do anything for the animals and I truly believe that had been the case since long before his success as a tv show host. I will not soon get over the shock that is with me now, as I truly thought somehow this day would never come. I will miss this guy as if I lost a good friend, RIP Steve. You were the best. Tom Stevens

[Ricky Lewis]

It came to as a shock to me as i started my car and heard the news. I never had the chance to me steve in person. Ive been a fan for many years since he started casting on tv. Ever since the first show i have been interested in reptiles and more.

Steve is the whole reason i started herping at a young age.

In school people asked " Whos your role model in life" many people put their mom and dads.

Me i put STEVE The Croc Man. It was because of him that i had a reason in life after my mother passed. it was because of him that i studied hard in school to make the grades to go to college.

All im saying is IF IT WASNT FOR STEVE I WOULDNT KNOW LOVE FOR ANIMALS.

GOD BLESS YOU STEVE. R.I.P.

TERRI GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. IM SORRY.

But listen to me when i say Steve influenced all, whether it be on tv or in person.

Ill continue working towards a degree in herpatoligy, just for this reason. to prove steve was a true role model.

Every one here at work {Circuit City} knew it hit me hard and let me leave to head home to all my animals. People at work even can tell you how much he meant to me.

[Christi Rhodes]

My whole family loved Steve and his family. We are all die hard fans of his special take on conservation and his love of animals and life itself. When we heard the news today I shed some tears along with my seven year old who has grown up thoroughly loving the Croc Hunter and his big heart. We loved that big wonderfulcrazy guy! Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
Christi Rhodes

[mike and michelle bunt]

We will all miss Steve Irwin so much. Even though we didn't meet in person when we were there at the zoo with our american students we saw Terry, Bindi and Bob. It is like loosing a friend and Steve is in the same catagorie as Princess Diana, everyone feels like they are your close friends. We will keep Terri and the children and his family at the zoo in our prayers like millions of other people around the world but we will not mourn his death but celebrate and keep his legacy going. What a fantastic bloke and what a fatastic family. Terri and the children have not just lost their husband and dad but their soul mate.God be with you all and as hard as it is now, he left this place doing what he loved doing. Looking at all the beautiful creatures that he loved so much. REST IN PEACE STEVE.
Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends
Mike and MIchelle Bunt

[Tom Rimmer]

I to am saddened by the loss of a Great man...I watched his movie and TV shows every chance I had.
It saddens me also for his family, I hope that they are all doing well in their time of sorrow and loss. And everyone out there always remember that REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS RULE!!! R I P Steve Irwin

[Sue Kaupie]

There are very few people who have had the influence on people and changing the image of reptiles and animals the way Steve Irwin has. It is with deep sorrow that we say goodbye. The greatest justice we can do is to carry on his legacy and love and care for these creatures as he would of wished. My heart and prayers go out to Terri, Bindi and Bob and to all those that knew and loved him.

[Michael]

as a herp lover,i was first turned on to the reptiles by Steve.If it wasnt for Steve i wouldnt be where i am today. my whole family is in shock. this is the man who has cheated death time and time again.i never in a million years could have prepared myself for the reactions i got from my family as well as my self we all loved steve and he will be missed thank you steve for being who you were and teaching us so much you will be truly missed

[Doug]

I always looked up to steve as an inspiration. He has educated masses of people about reptiles. He had one the most sucessful zoo's in the world. What a way to go...We will miss you steve...We'll miss the phrase "Crikey!", we will miss watching your movies and documentaries.
All the best wishes to Terri and the kids -Doug.

*RIP Steve Irwin, may God rest you soul*