---

We offer our deepest heartfelt condolences on the loss of Steve to the family and friends and the many, many fans. Steve was like our family member and we are greatly saddened by his passing. My grandson (Michael) has been wearing his croc cap since he learned of the tragic loss. He even sleeps in it, and cries himself to sleep each night.

We have made a pact that we will carry on Steve's memory by adding a cross with his name on it to our pets' memorial garden. We will also work to save and care for the animals around us.

Steve brought so much happiness into our lives, all while we learned so many, many things. We will hold his family and friends and fans in our thoughts and prayers. There will never be another like Steve. He will forever be in our thoughts and we will hold his memory close to our hearts.

Mike & Annette Waters
Michael
Hallet, Okla.

I cannot begin to express my shock and grief over Steve Irwin's passing. I can't sleep at night over a man I have never met but was a part of my family. Thank you to his family for sharing this amazing man with the rest of the world. His passion for wildlife is infectious, and I want to thank him for opening my family's eyes. My son didn't want to watch cartoons but rather The Crocodile Hunter. He has seen every episode over and over. He even wore khakis and was the Crocodile Hunter for Halloween one year. He continues to be obsessed with animals and nature and I know he will choose a career down this path.

Steve, your mission is heard and we are listening! I hadn't even realized how deeply you have touched my family until you were gone. Thank you for touching our lives and soooo many others. The world will miss you!

cacoast

Continued »

---

I am very sorry for what happened to Steve. He was a great man. His Crocodile Hunter show was my favorite. So when I found out that he was dead I was crying on the sofa.

Emily (Age 7)

Steve Irwin inspired my now seven-year-old son to respect nature, to investigate it with respect and to love all of it. He aspires to be an "aquarium guy" — and has ever since he began watching Steve's shows on television.

Thank you, Terri and family, for sharing Steve with us. His reach is endless and I am so thankful he partnered with us to raise environmentally respectful children. He is missed!

maxnivysmom

Dear Terri,

My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. Here is a note that my daughter (eight years old) wrote to you and I am writing it the way she gave it to me:

"The crockodile hunter was my favorite show. I felt so sad when I heard that he got killed by the sting ray. I loved to watch the crockodile hunter show. It was so much fun and I was always happy watching the show. I'll never forget the crockodile hunter because he was so good to the animals."

Please know that my family is full of avid animal lovers and we always respected Steve's and your conservation work and education. Because through education we can all become conservationists. Please know that you both touched many, many millions of people's lives and I hope that you continue where Steve left off. We love you and you are in our thoughts.

Ginger and David Wallen
From the Beaches of SE Georgia

Continued »

---

Although no one can possibly know the pain Terri, Bindi, Bob and Steve's dad, Bob, are enduring right now, my family and I wish to express our extreme sorrow at their loss. Our daughter grew up to become a wildlife veterinarian in part because of the influence of Steve Irwin. She graduated in May, and Steve was one of three major influences she mentioned in response to the question, "Who influenced your decision to work with wildlife the most?"

Steve has created "wildlife warriors" all over the world — those who will make a difference for the one and for the many. My daughter has only begun her life's passion, and many, many more are doing the same and will do the same.

Few people truly affect entire generations in a positive direction that impacts the very existence of life on earth and quality of life for our wild animal friends, particularly those we fear. Steve Irwin accomplished this feat just by being himself — a passionate, original "wildlife warrior."

Legacies don't replace companionship or the loving touches of a father and husband, but I hope that the legacy that Steve created will at least provide some comfort in the form of shared pride and the memories of Steve in his element.

wetokdoc

To the Irwin family and Steve's best mate, Wes,

I would like to send my deepest sympathy for the loss of your son, husband, father and best mate. I have watched Steve and Terry for many years, but the episode that made me realize the message Steve was trying to send was the one where Steve and Terry were going to check on a naughty rogue croc. (The croc) was terrifying boats on a river in a populated area. As (the Irwins') boat approached the area where the croc was last seen, Steve and Terry spotted it — but something was wrong. Terry asked Steve if the croc was alright, and Steve responded that the croc was dead. It had been shot in the head. It was a very large and very old croc.

I was very affected by this scene and cried for this magnificant creature for over 30 minutes. I couldn't believe it. I am a college professor in New Orleans, La. "Why am I caring so much about the death of one crocodile in Australia?" Then I got it! I got Steve's message.

Just like I cried for that great, wonderful croc, I don't think I will every stop crying for Steve. Bless all of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you all for sharing your love with us.

Cynthia Ramirez
New Orleans, LA

Continued »

---

Dear Terri, Bindi and little Bob,

Let me start by saying that I feel as though you all are members of my own family. I know this is corny, but I have spent the last 10 years watching y'all and have raised my own two children with you as examples. I am so sorry for your loss. My own two-year-old son doesn't understand why daddy is crying (and to some extent neither do I) but I felt I needed to let you know the extent of his influence on the average viewers. We'll never forget the message that you have always lived by. We've been praying for you since we heard the tragic news. Just know that you are loved around the world and that we are here for you in any way possible.

The Miller Family
Anderson, South Carolina

I don't think any of us have ever been so devastated by the loss of a television personality.

We send our condolences to Terri, Bindi and Bob, and to Steve's extended family at the zoo — keep up the wonderful work he began. Steve was an amazing man who grabbed life with both hands and made the most of every day, and we can't believe somebody so vital has gone.

We are thinking about you,

Sarah, Lewis, Lewis and Jenni Turner
Cambridge, UK

Continued »

---

I just wanted to say that the animal kingdom and the world in general has lost another saint.

This news shook me deeply. This man and his passion have really changed my views on the entire world and the goodness of man. My thoughts are with his children, his wife and his best mate Wes, and I hope that this does not end his struggle to educate the world about the animal kingdom. He will be greatly missed. He touched my soul and changed my ways. Thank you, Steve.

Slade Dykhouse
Phoenix, Arizona

My family is truly saddened for the Irwin family. When I heard the news, I was devastated. In today's world of poor influence that is offered through television, The Crocodile Hunter and Discovery have given my family hope that there still exist ethics and integrity in television programming. Steve Irwin demonstrated ethics and integrity through every program (whether an episode or an interview) and brought untold moments of laughter into my household and amongst friends. Often times I would give a crack at imitating him while handling the family pet, maybe a ferocious gardner snake, and my kids would absolutely come unglued at the seams.

We will miss him greatly and appreciate everything that he and his family have shared with us. Steve will NEVER be replaced. He will live on in all of our hearts forever!

With all of the love and prayers we can muster,

Brian, Wendy, Madi and Augi Willmon
Bend, Oregon. USA

Dear Terri, Bindi and Bob,

I understand how you feel; I am crying right now, too. I am eight years old and your dad/husband was my greatest hero. Bindi, you will have to tell Bob how cool your dad was because I bet he was the best dad in the world. I wish I had a dad like him.

I am so sorry and we will think of you.

Bayleigh, 8 years old
Indiana

Continued »

---

Steve was one of this planet's greatest diplomats of natural conservation. We can only hope that his message will be heeded by all of humanity in hopes of respecting and saving our natural world. Steve's gift of education will span generations and influence many yet to be born. He will be greatly missed by those of us who appreciated that talent and love. My heartfelt condolences to the Irwin family and all who were close to him. His life was a gift to us all.

kevnbro

I can only begin to imagine the devastation being felt by the family of Steve and I pray that they find some sort of comfort in knowing what an incredible affect Steve had on children and adults the world over.

My wife saw my face when I read the news and immediately asked me what was wrong. I was speechless. The first thing that went through my mind was that my four-year-old son had lost his first hero. In our household, even though my brother is named Steve, when my son was speaking there was only one "Steve" and that was Steve Irwin. My wife and I both had harbored the hope that our son would one day meet the great Crocodile Hunter. Our son loves all kinds of animals and he imitates Steve almost perfectly. Croc Files is the one show that he will watch in place of Power Rangers. When he was only two years old we would play Croc Hunter, diving onto the backs of toy crocs and wrestling them only to leap off on the count of three.

They say it's a small world and that may be true. Today, every animal lover in the world is grieving with the Irwins. One of the greatest champions of the animal kingdom left this world far too early for our liking, but perhaps because of the work he did and the example he made, a whole new generation of animal champions will step up and carry on his torch. God bless.

hazmated

Continued »

---

Having read many of these tributes, they have served to both comfort and reinforce the fact that there was, and only ever will be, ONE like Mr. Steve Irwin.

I have felt a little unnerved though, as some others here have, about the genuine feelings of loss since Monday's tragic news. In fact, I was beginning to think I was a bit emotionally unstable, or something was wrong that I could even begin to mourn over someone I had never met.

I saw the news on a Web site as it was broken Monday afternoon (Australian time). I was racing out to the pub, so I only just read the headlines and first paragraph. I dismissed it, like others did, as thinking there was a mistake, and later on an announcement would be made that he was just badly hurt, in the hospital and would be back up and at it in a few weeks.

But, once at the pub, as fully grown men were talking about it with beers in hand, shaking their heads and putting up the bravado that men in groups do to try and hide their emotions and shrug things off, it sunk in that it was real. There was a heavy feeling that churned inside as I realized the significance and implications of this loss for his family, conservation and the world in general.

So, later that night, when I began searching for more news at home, I can honestly say that it was the first time I have shed tears in 19 years. The only other time was when I was 17 and had my heart broken by my first true love. But in truth, that pales in comparison to the enormity of the loss that Terri, Bindi, Bob Senior and Junior and the rest of the crew would feel.

As a 36-year-old man who has never ever felt deeply moved by the death of anyone, let alone a "celebrity" (I have been lucky in my life so far), I have no qualms in admitting I have had tears in my eyes for three days. It's very weird in fact, as a lot of my mates would be ribbing me if they knew I had been crying over this, I feel.

The facts are, the guy was real. His enthusiasm and manner was certainly no act or staged persona for the cameras. No one has any bad things to say about him; they can't, because he treated everyone — humans and animals alike — with love and empathy equally at all times. To find these qualities in anyone is rare. To find these qualities in a globally successful "celebrity" is even rarer, if not impossible.

I think that is part of the loss that some people feel: that there is little else on TV worth watching, or very few others in the world who are as totally unselfish and genuine as Steve. But of course, the biggest reason why people have heavy hearts over this is they can relate to the guy, and because he is real and genuine they feel that connection with his family and worry over how his loved ones must be feeling right now.

When surfers die in Australia tributes often quote that, "Mate, I hope it's eight feet and glassy in heaven." So for Steve, I hope for you that your mom, dog and all the animals from the past are gathered around you as you wow them about your job and adventures on earth, and that in the background the waves are rolling in, eight feet and glassy, ready to be tamed whenever you feel like some R&R.

From a distant "mate"
Western Australia

Continued »

---

My family and I were deeply saddened by the news this morning. My son was especially hit hard. Steve was his hero, as he was to so many people. He even had a birthday cake with a Steve action figure that said "O Crikey" on it. He was such a champion for the enviroment and for animals. He made us all see the beauty in the world around us. I am really appreciative of the fact that he reached so many and he was able to teach children to love and respect the world around them. My thoughts and prayers are with Terri, Bindi, Bob and the entire Australia Zoo family!

Larina Jones
Winchester, Virginia USA

It is with very deep sadness that I now write a belated "Thank You" to a man who had such fierce love and contagious enthusiasm for the welfare of ALL wildlife that my seven-year-old son preferred to watch the "crocodile man" as opposed to cartoons. "Thank you Steve" for allowing my son the excitement of coming to me after a show and saying "Mama, Mama, did you know that...."

Jendoob1

For a man thousands of miles across the planet to feel sorrow for the death of another that he never met says everything about Mr. Irwin. I believe a good man never dies.

ozzycoop

When my son was two, he started watching the Crocodile Hunter. He loved to wrestle all of his stuffed animals just like Steve. Now my son is 11 and has a conservationist mind-set. He leads our family on this one. Steve, thanks for making a difference and opening up a whole world to ALL of my sons. You will be missed!

Terri, family and Australia Zoo staff: our heartfelt sympathies to each of you. You are in our prayers.

The Bethran Family
Schaumburg, Illinois

Continued »

---

As my family learned the news of Steve's untimely death, we were deeply saddened. I can remember many occasions sitting at home watching him do absolutely amazing things that many people wouldn't dream of doing with the world's most dangerous animals.

Mr. Irwin was always brimming with knowledge, enthusiasm, love and pure passion for what he did. He touched the lives of so many with his enthusiastic nature and innocent sense of humor.

Two years ago I was asked the question of whom I would most like to eat dinner with (dead or alive). I could have chosen a president, Jesus Christ, a famous athlete or even the Pope! To the surprise of many, I chose Steve Irwin. The man was a brilliant example of how I wanted to live my life — with great passion.

Our sincere condolences go out to the Irwin Family and his extended family of the Australia Zoo. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Do not give up on Steve's mission of conservation. Carry on his passionate and enthusiastic nature and be strong in these difficult times. The world needs more people like you.

We love you Steve.

ajtrump

Steve Irwin: a WARRIOR for our enviroment; a PROTECTOR to the amazing animals of this world; a FATHER to two beautiful kids, Bindi and Bob; a HUSBAND to Terri; a TEACHER to us all; a person that lived life with passion and gave of himself. My deepest condolences to his wife, children, family and friends.

You will be missed but not forgotten. May your spirit give others strength to continue all you have achieved for this beautiful planet.

maxos

Continued »

---

I remember very distinctly the first time I saw Steve Irwin on TV. I was in college and my roommate told me I had to see this crazy guy. The show was about spiders, and he had me on the edge of my seat with his penchant for drama and his genuine enthusiasm.

After that a group of my friends would meet in our dorm room to watch the Croc Hunter's show and do Steve impressions: "This is the most daaangerous spider in aaaaaaaaalll of Australia. Now let's see if we can get it to crawl on this stick!"

We laughed, we cringed, we learned so much. You couldn't help but smile and get excited right along with him. He obviously loved his job and his family very much.

Steve will be missed. My condolences to his family!!

Anna
Texas, USA

You were God's ambassador for us into the animal kingdom. Thank you, teacher.

patti103

Terri, Bindi, Bob and Family,

Steve has been my personal role model, my idol, my influence and the reason behind the the Reptile Rescue here in Southern California.

On behalf of the Rescue, our hearts go out to you and your family. Steve will be missed greatly but never forgotten for Steve is the influence and the spirit behind our Rescue.

Clinton "TON" Jones
Founder of the REPTILE-RESCUE
Antelope Valley, California

Continued »

---

What is wrong with me? "What the heck are you talking about," is probably what you are thinking, but the tragic loss of Steve has really done something to me. I really need a place to vent and hope that at least one person will hear.

Who am I? I am just an ordinary, 30-year-old man from San Diego. I don't have kids that sit around and watch the Crocodile Hunter. I don't know all that much about the Australia Zoo that Steve worked at, and I don't know all that much about his family. It wasn't even until recently that I learned just HOW MUCH Steve has done for wildlife conservation and education.

But I did love his show (and have seen it dozens and dozens of times), his personality and all his wacky antics — just like everybody else on earth.

I learned about his death, like many of you, early Monday and I just couldn't believe my ears. At first I thought it HAD to have been a mistake. I mean, c'mon! A guy that wrestles crocodiles killed by a docile stingray? What? People get stung by stingrays here off the coast of San Diego ALL year round, and THEY don't die.

Then I heard that the stingray stung him through his chest and punctured his heart. Then I SURELY thought it had to be a joke, or a mistake, or something. How surreal.

But after a while (a few minutes, a few hours) something slowly started to sink in. This wasn't just some random celebrity or TV personality. Steve truly struck me as a great, great individual who has seemingly done nothing but good for everything he had touched. He had a personality that touched me in a way that I cannot really describe. Was it because he was so funny? Was it because of his goofy accent or the way he said "crikey!"? Was it the way he would say "Sheila" or "What a beauty"? Was it his energy and genuine passion he displayed? Was it the fact that he has done so much for so many people? I mean, not only was he a great advocate of preserving wildlife, but he brought (and still brings) a great joy to families all over the entire globe. Honestly, I can't really place my finger on his equal.

So late last night I was watching one of the Discovery Channels, and a very small and beautiful "in memory of" commercial about Steve came on. They played some memorable video clips, some pretty music, and in the background was a blurb from Steve describing how getting people excited about wildlife and wildlife preservation was the reason he was put on this earth. And out of nowhere, I started to cry. Honestly I cannot figure out why his death is affecting me in this way. I didn't even know the man! But somehow, I feel a loss as if he were a genuine friend of mine.

There is now a huge hole in this earth. Steve's role with wildlife, his work at the zoo, his TV show, his infectious personality and what appeared to be just a one-of-a-kind great person, put him in a unique position on this earth. And now that he is gone, it seems like something is missing all over the globe. And honestly, I don't think he could ever be replaced.

I am just a normal, 30-year-old guy from San Diego. Thank you Steve for everything you have done, for everybody. We all miss you.

Brandon, San Diego CA
sandiego_guy

Continued »

---

As a mother of two children myself, we have watched the Crocodile Hunter for many years. I do not believe that the Irwins exploited any part of nature, but did a wonderful job educating the world about animals we don't understand. They took a small business and made it into a world-known facility.

We will miss the enthusiasm and wonderful voice for all of the animals he represented. Terri, please keep his legacy alive and continue to do his work. I know I would love to see you on TV, maybe not jumping onto a croc's back, but being their voice to be understood. God bless and be strong.

lancermomp

From a Kiwi in the U.S.:

Goodbye mate. You are, and always will be, a prince amongst royalty. I hope one day to be able to shake your hand and tell you that you did a bang-up job protecting and educating.

Terri, your fellow Americans have never been prouder than they were watching you with your beloved soul mate. I hope you allow the world to continue his legacy.

Bindi and Bob, know that your dad was the best this world has to give. A true knight in shining khakis. We thank you for allowing us to share him with you and know that we will never forget him. Whatever path you choose, be the best, as he was, and never be afraid to be yourself and always stick to your convictions.

God Speed "Croc Hunter," wherever you may go.

han123

« Return to Steve's memorial page.