In Memoriam: Steve Irwin

Steve Irwin, better known as the Crocodile Hunter, was killed while filming a documentary on sting-rays last Monday. Normally, I was not a huge fan of the Crocodile Hunter, but Steve's death has touched me to a degree I wasn't expecting. I usually just thought of the oft-spoofed Irwin with bemusement; a likable guy who seemed at times to have more enthusiasm than common sense.

Now view him as a hero, and for a variety of reasons. First, he had a clear purpose in life. He was a promoter of conservation and animal protection like no other. The man not only became a beloved cultural icon in his own right, but always insisted on dragging something scaly or slimy in the spotlight with him. His influence on children for good cannot be overestimated.

Secondly, he found a way to make a living doing something he loved. Since only a small portion of people on the planet are able to pull that one off, I put Irwin in the hero category.

Like the loss of some of my earlier heroes (like Jim Henson and Charles Schultz), I found myself shedding a tear or two for the loss of a good friend. And not a crocodile tear, either.