My son and I watched Animal Planet shows with interviews he had done and rescues of people etc....
just about broke my heart to see him, and listening to little Bindi express herself so well.. his children will carry on his work(my feeling) and remind us of what a great person he truly was..
For me, to have lived a life of even short duration, and had love of family and respect of many, would be a life lived well.

Rusty, in that part of this thread we were sharing our own experiences with stingrays and marine life. I don't think any disrespect was intended.

I just heard that Steve actually pulled the barb out of his chest then lost consciousness. What a man, huh?! It's heartbreaking listening to all the news.

My dh is watching one of the cable news shows and is griping about the person doing the interviewing because of the ridiculous questions being asked. He just said that the interviewer obviously didn't watch Steve or he wouldn't be asking such bad questions about wildlife or Steve.

I love how people are very defensive of him. This just shows how much respect we all had for him. Even the people on the news are all commenting on what a loving father he was.

Very sad - his wife is from Eugene Oregon- where I live- so papers full of it today.
He's done some documentaries around here a few years ago

My son was online with his Australian girlfriend early Monday morning when she told us the news. Her take was that everyone (ok most people) in Australia was very sad. They are considering a state day of mourning.

Steve brought attention to the need to preserve Australian wildlife

How sad. I remember watching him on Discovery with my now 23 year old son. The man had a passion for what he did. I wish I could say the same.

Best wishes for his family.

Reply to <font color="blue">suanniammsncom<font color="black">,
We also visited stingray sandbar off Grand Cayman in the spring, and on one of our 2 trips there someone also stepped on one and injured their foot.

<font color="blue">Mrs JohnD<font color="black">, in retrospect-the smarter half, stayed on the boat while I snorkeled amidst the rays, many would brush up against me, as they swam past-I suspect these rays were quite used to being around people and I sensed no danger-it is hard for us to believe how this amazing man met his unexpected, untimely fate.</font></font></font></font>

Ironically, I am reading Ian Fleming's Live and Let Die currently and in it James Bond learns that sting rays are almost never dangerous and only attack when they feel threatened. One can only surmise that Steve Irwin frightened the sting ray by swimming to close to it.

Steve Irwin had a winning personality and an interesting show. My kids thought so. He will be missed by his wife, kids and immediate family. Millions who watch his show will miss Steve Irwin as well.