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

[jay]

A Herpetological icon is gone, he will be missed. He was the greatest icon to our hobby. CRIKEY

[Jason Beaudyne]

Steve was a Saint.If it wasn't for Steve and Terry,today's kids would never know enough to care when they own the world tomorrow.Steve and Terry not only brought environmental issues to light with their charismatic ways,they bought lands just for the wildlife.Steve was a wonderful,caring,passionate soul that could never be quelled.We all mourn the loss of this incredible man.He will be a part of all of us for many generations to come.My deepest condolences to Terry,Bindi,and Bob.I know Steve's dreams will never die because we have you..May God ease your pain,...Jason Beaudyne

[Timothy G. Boudreaux]

I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of Steve Irvin. I send my condolences to his lovely wife, two children and his mom and dad.
I was a Zoology Student at the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1968 but never finished because I met the right girl and got married. I watched Steve's amazin talent, personality, his wife's bravery more than most because I always tell my wife that what Steve's was doing was similar to what I wanted to do had I received my Degree in Zoology.
I will miss his show and he and his family every week. May God Bless Steve, his wife, his two children and his mother and dad.

Goodbye Steve,
You are in a better place waiting for your family and friends to join you.

Timothy G. Boudreaux
3024 Caroljack Drive
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816

[thomas davis]

very sad indeed he will be greatly missed by not only me and my family but the whole world.my prayers are with his family, rest in peace steve irwin,,,,thomas davis

[Vincent Boccalino]

I still cant believe it, when my mom told me yesterday my first thought was it must be a mistake. I feel like Steve has been a personal friend of mine for many years, like I know him as well as a good friend or family member. I have never been so saddened by the death of a person I didnt know personally. Steve will be remembered for the ideal person he was in everyones opinion. There will never be another Steve Irwin he is one of a kind and Im pretty sure God intended it to be that way. Terry, Bindi, and Bob you guys know what the death of his Mom did to him try to think of him reunited with her in a giant bush in the clouds. Thanks 0ne-million times over Steve for all the memories and knowledge I will never forget. Rest in peace. We will miss you.

[kurt barlet]

I was VERY fortunate to meet him when he came to Calif. to do a special on rattlers, I was calld by his producer to help find suitable locales and animals here in SoCal, we found mojaves, s.p.'s, rubers and sidwinders, was a great time and he was the consumate gentleman. while I did disagree with his methods sometimes, I never disputed his message and he did help bring herps into homes that otherwise would never understand them. a sad time indeed.

[Daniel Leymeister]

I would just like to say that I'm sorry for this tragity and what his family is going threw..
It is my opinion that Steve was a GIANT in people's hearts, greater than princess Diana and his death has affected me more than Mother Teressa and Pope John Paul II
once agian, I'm very sorry for the lost

[Ankur Pahariya]

Good bye Steve,

I am really at loss of words to describe how i feel after this tragic incident... Just by watching his shows it felt like i had developed some kind of emotional bond with him and my love for animals grew manifold simply by seeing his immense concern for them..The passion and enthusiasm that he had for his job will always remain unparalleled....I would end it by saying that this loss is no less than a personal loss for me ...
May his soul rest in peace...

[Laura B.]

It still doesn't seem real. It still doesn't seem right. It still doesn't seem fair. Wildlife conservancy & education has lost it's greatest hero, it's larger than life advocate and spokesman; a man who positively glowed with his passion for every living creature. A man who sincerely desired every human being to see the magic, the breath-taking beauty and the importance of preserving nature and the planet's wildlife, just as he did. A man who put his fortune where his mouth and his heart was.
Today my own heart is so heavy; my thoughts and prayers with Steve's beloved dad, sisters, Terri, Bindi and little Bob.
Today the whole world mourns.

[Randy Bryant]

I am still in shock. Although I never had the chance to met Steve I think all herpers would agree there is a deep bond there. We all lost a true icon in the reptile world. I have been involved with reptiles for along time but he gave me a new outlook on them. Before Steve not to many people could understand why reptiles were so interesting to some of us. I hope we all will in some way help Steve carry on by educating everyone we can about these animals. As for the family and friends my deepest condolences go out to them. I don't think the reptile world will ever be the same. I can only hope to be as fortunate to leave this world a better place and doing what I love. We will all miss you Steve. Be at peace for your compassion still lives in all of us.

Randy

[Mike Lockwood]

Steve Irwin was the unofficial ambassador of the herp world. His enthusiasm and passion for these animals came through crystal clear in every one of the epsodes he filmed. This passion is what he delivered into the homes of millions. Thanks so much Syeve for shining the light on these magificent creatures. We'll do our best to carry on in your absence.
Rest in Peace mate.

[Ric Kalman]

Steve Irwin was a pioneer in being so instrumental while bringing public awareness to the community of reptiles. His charismatic smile and exciting approach to filming reptiles will be memories I'll always have. Thanks, mate
Ric Kalman

[Craig LaBounty]

I am So Sad, i've watched Steve from the beginning. Always Hoped to go to Austrailia and visit His Zoo. Altho i'm 46 i still would give up everything to DO what Steve Does! Now He's gone...who could Ever Replace Him? and His Family! Bindi was his closest 'Mate'! Little Bob will never really know His DAD! This Isn't Supposed To HAPPEN!!!
Makes me look at my own Family, I never want to be w/out them and (hopefully) them w/out Me!!! God intended Families to be together FOREVER according to the BIBLE! and they ,and we ,will see each other again in the Paradise Promised soon. He will be missed , til then...

[Craig]

A great inspiration to the conservation field and taught the world about the world around us. May he never be forgotten for what he loved best, teaching us about wildlife and being so passionate about it. Rest in peace. Crocs rule!

[Mike...Rogue_Herper]

Hearing of steve's passing was a huge downer for me and everyone i know im shocked most about the mannor of the accident..1 of 3 ppl too ever have that happen...but the only enlightining thing about this is knowing it was fast painless and most of all he died doing what he loved..if we could all be that lucky.

My sencier condolances too Terry and her children ive allways wanted too meet steve he was an amazing role model and his message touched the world in a way only he could. Im sad too say i will never meet him...you will live on in our hearts steve goodbye.

[Craig H. - Fairbanks Alaska]

I had hoped and prayed when I received the email about Steve and his encounter with the stingray that it was a fake report.

Steve Irwin was an extremely valuable asset not only to the animals he worked with but to anyone who had a few minutes to pay attention to what he was saying about them when he brought them into our living rooms with his show.

He had so much energy and was just overflowing with character and passion for life, animals, and family, that you couldn't help but feel connected with him on at least one level or more.

I idolized Steve for what he was doing, trying to get people to care enough about the animals that we all get involved in trying to save them. We have all lost one of the most valuable humans in the fight to bring animals and humans together.

I'm still choked up about it, I can't believe he's really gone. So let's all raise our glasses and toast him off with a healthy Crikey Mate, Have a go at THAT!!!!

We will miss you immensely Steve!

[Roy R.]

Watching Steve I think we all could see alittle of ourselves, or at least what we strove to be. I have always been an animal lover myself, and through Steve I could live my dreams. Steve's love for animals and desire to see they always have a place to thrive, is a desire we should all have. Steve brought understanding to a world of fear, and understanding that we can live with nature, without destroying it. I believe that because of his efforts we have all been blessed. My prayers go out to his family and friends.

[Marilee]

Regardless of how anyone felt about Steve as a person, no one can fault or denigrate the incredible legacy that he leaves behind. After all, when all is said and done this is the most important thing that there is. His caring and passion for animals and his incredible knowledge and energetic delivery made all of us laugh and even cry at times. One of my favorite episodes is when he went to another zoological facility and spent time with these amazing gorillas and apes. He was literally moved to tears by the interaction he shared with these animals. The reason that my daughter wants to be a zookeeper and wildlife conservationist is due to her many years of watching Steve and Terry Irwin. His passion came from inside, born not from ego, I truly believe, but from his true, love and caring for any animal he came in contact with. The Australia Zoo is home to a pair of Shingleback BTS and I remember an episode where Terry and Steve found a Shingleback by the side of the road and they got down on the ground and he told all about Blue tongued Skinks, thier origins, thier personalities and thier beauty.
My heart breaks tonight and I feel a loss I can't explain. They are doing a marathon on Animal Planet and when his 8 year old daighter Bindi, was interviewed about her dad, she said someting like, "I don't know why he is famous but he's my dad and I really love him." For his family, Terry, Bindi, baby Bob and his dad Robert, as well as the zoo staff which is his extended family, my prayers are with them and I hope that his legacy and passionate conservation efforts will continue. The world lost a great man, a proud dad, and a wonderful man that was always, "Flat out like a lizard drinkin'" God Bless Steve Irwin and his family

[Cora Lynn]

Steve was a Hero to those without a voice, a real wildlife warrier. His life was a beaut! I think we should be happy for all of his accomplishments, bringing attention to the needs of animals, and their need for protection, and a safe environment.
He made animal planet what it is today, one of the most watched networks there is. This is good, it is sensitivity training for the masses, and a wonderful gift he has left.
I love Steve, so does my Daughter,and millions of others, we have been watching him since he first began, and shall miss his heart, and enthusiasm dearly.
He has touched our lives, our minds, as well as our hearts. He has reached millions with his message.
My daughter has a great respect for wildlife, and we both owe it to Stevo:)
Thank you Steve, Sincerely, and may you be as blessed in the afterlife as you blessed others in this life.
We are all missing you, Your life was not in vain, you accomplished everything you set out to do...

Cora Lynn

[John.m.]

Steve was an idal to many people and A realy good person. I can't believ a sting ray could be th e thing to kill him i thought with his abulity he would live a long time. their are not many people like him in this world he is one in a million. I wished to be just like him well other kidz wounted to be fire men and police men.i will mis steve a lote. I hope he rest in peace.

[Scott.P]

I guess all good things must come to an end. MOTHER NATURE sure picked the right person to help her.
REST in PEACE STEVE the ANIMALS here on this planet will miss you

[Judy T.]

Job well done Steve! We learn that when our job is done on this earth that God calls us home. Well, I can't think of anyone who did more for the conservation of animals than Steve Irwin. Thanks for the memories, Steve.

[Gary Owen Dick]

See, ten or twenty years ago if a famous person had met Steve Irwin's fate, there would have been a rush to the reefs of the world to eradicate dangerous rays. That's not happening, largely because his message was heard.

Good job, Steve. One heck of a guy.

[Carole L Marx]

It's been 4 days, since I learned about him. I finally cried. However, I can smile when I hear "Who Am I?" by Casting Crowns, and "Find Your Wings" by Mark Harris.
I feel Steve was sent here by God to do a special deed for animals...think about it...only such a special person as Steve Irwin could have been chosen and designed by God...

[Norman B.]

I know alot of people have posted on the special forum you set up. I mentioned this in my own post on Sept 4th but I'd like to comment here. Thank you, Jeff for setting the whole thing up on Kingsnake.com and letting us pay our respects in this way. It was a very nice thing to do.
"Upscale"