Adventurer And National Hero Dies
Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to conquer Mount Everest, died today at the age of 88.
The New Zealand mountain climber and national hero conquered the Mountain in 1953 with Tenzing Norgay, his Sherpa companion and guide.
Sir Edmund died today, January 11, 2008 at 9.00am New Zealand time.
Announcing the death of New Zealand’s greatest national hero, the Prime Minister, Helen Clark, said that his death was a profound loss.
Ms Clark said “Sir Ed described himself as an average New Zealander with modest abilities. In reality, he was a colossus. He was an heroic figure who not only ‘knocked off’ Everest but lived a life of determination, humility, and generosity…”
“Sir Ed was not one to bask idly in celebrity. He drew on his international prestige to highlight issues and values which he held dear. His enduring commitment to and respect for the Sherpa people reflects the best of what we as New Zealanders can contribute, from our small developed nation helping another less privileged one,” Ms Clark said.
Sir Edmund established the Himalayan Trust during the early 1960’s, and over a period of 40 years helped build 30 schools and 2 hospitals, along with a number of medical centers and bridges.
The former beekeeper’s other other exploits include leading a team of farm tractors across the Antarctic to the South Pole, and a jet boat expedition up the Ganges river from the sea to the mountains.
Sir Edmund served as a Catalina Flying Boat navigator during World War 2.
He lost his first wife Louise and daughter Belinda in a plane crash in Kathmandu in 1975.
Sir Edmund is survived by his wife, Lady June Hillary and children Peter and Sarah.
Aerial view of Mt Everest from the south. (Kerem Barut)
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My Note: Sir Edmund was one of my heroes while at school. The ability to dream, and to carry out that dream, are two of the things that I admired about him the most.
Everything else flowed from those two gifts.
While I admired those things about him as a youth, as I matured, the thing that impressed me the most about him was the way he used his fame to help others, rather than simply seeking to profit on his own behalf!
All countries have national heroes, but Sir Edmund was one of the greatest that the world saw during the 20th Century!
A humble kiwi guy.
A very humble man, and my post doesn’t begin to give him the credit he deserves!
He was one of the people I would have loved to meet…and chat with.
What a kind, caring soul. He never came through as the dare-devil, crazy adventurer…but as the human being in awe of the greatness of Nature as well as the greatness inside each and every human being.
Thanks, Allan, for this beautiful homage.
Hugs always,
Mudd a.k.a. Oza
xoxo
Thanks for the comment Oza, great to see you here!
The more I learn about Sir Ed, the more impressed I am!
Cheers!