[Chapter-delegates] Fwd: Peter Kirstein obituary

[Coenraad Loubser]

I do think that because of the global and multi cultural nature of this
forum, that we should make no assumptions - and what is common knowledge
for some of us, needs to be said or should be spelled out:

We should not be sad, despondent nor complacent: It is because of the work
individuals like Peter, that we can take for granted - and build upon, some
of the fruits of their highest achievements.

We should never lose sight of the fact that where they left off, we start.
"Their roof, is our floor"

Thank you, Peter!

Instead of sadness, we should feel immense privilege and gratitude, and we
should strive to walk in their footsteps.

Our truest thanks is in ensuring that their work was not in vain.

We should extend our gratitude, not only for them, but to many of our
colleagues - not only in our words, but also our deeds, and asking how we
can help - and I hope we can take note of the fact that without a handful
of key individuals, our world could have looked significantly different -
key individuals doing ordinary things - the key being that they stick with
it and do what is needed, and that is what makes it extraordinary. It is
all too easy for us to take for granted the fruits of the life's work of
others - and to think that history was different from today or that their
circumstances made things easier. Whatever happens elsewhere, happens here,
and whatever happened in the past, is still happening today, if not the
same, just in a different place or form. We should strive to learn about
the fears that drove - and drive - those we look up to, and the way they
set out to conquer those fears, and the solutions they build, or built, and
how it applies to us, to to today, so that we can carry forward the same
ideals and practice, applicable to our particular context.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_T._Kirstein
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