Robert Stewart (rip)

[evo]

I haven't know many of you long. My grand father Robert Stewart died last thursday september the 25th on Whidbey Island, WA. It was during a small 27' dead hemlock removal. No signs of "extencive" in the trunk of the tree, in fact the wood was sound. The root crown failed just before he was getting ready to take the top of the tree. He landed in the road next to the driveway and died instantly.

Bobby died at 50 years old has been an arborist for 25 years, and before that he was a pole climber for a cable tv company. He was teaching me to climb as he has for so many others in the Seattle area.

A celebration of Bobby Stewarts Life will be October 9th and held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 20103 SR 525 in Freeland Washingtion 98249.

There is also a Memorial Fund to support his family. Robert Stewart Memorial fund, please make donations of support payable to his wife Hope Fay. Whidbey Island Bank, Langley branch.

I'm sorry for those of you who know them to be finding out over the internet. I do not have contact information for every one who he has worked with. I will also post a link to the obituary when it's published.

Feel free to PM me if you would like more details

With love Jesse Brighten

 

[Raven]

Oh fu(*, my dad died at 50 too, but with his boots off. Root crown failure? Could get anybody.

My prayers for those you've left behind Robert, truly - Rest In Peace

Thanks for the post Evo

 

[Norm_Hall]

My deepest sympathy to you and the family.

 

[jim454]

Sorry for your loss Jesse.

 

[Blinky]

I'm sorry to hear that too Jesse, I wish you and your family as much peace as you can have right now.



I was lucky enough to survive a root crown failure, your Grandfather's death makes me cherish life that much more.

At this point, I fear primary structure failure more than any other hazard in tree care.

 

[Paul Biester]

Wow,i think the reason we are so empathetic is because we know in our hearts it could be any one of us,much like on the deadliest catch when another boat goes down and they all feel it!! Even though we dont always know the people.....this is a brotherhood!! we do it cause we love doin it!! Very sorry for your loss!!!! God bless!

 

[easyphloem]

My sincerest condolences to your family, Evo.



SZ

 

[arborgreen]

sorry to hear that jesse my heart goes out to u and ur family...u lost a grand pa and we lost a brother....im glad he didnt suffer and he was doing a thing he loved

 

[tophopper]

RIP

 

[evo]

Thank you all for your support, be safe Damnit!

 

[MikeWA]

What a tragedy for your family! It's always painful to see a fellow climber injured or killed, but when a local climber goes down--that's especially sobering! Hang in there, bro. Our prayers are with you.

A reminder to the rest of us to double check the base of that dead tree before climbing. We'll be doing safety meetings here first thing next week on this...Just twenty seven feet--even the little ones can take a life.

Dead/declining western hemlocks soften up so fast here in the PNW. Very common to be removing dead hemlocks after past several years' hotter drier summers--our most drought intolerant conifer. Heterobasidion annosum commonly takes out the roots and butts as well, often without outward signs/symptoms other than decline in canopy. Not a great showing right now for our State Tree.

A young local climber fell a couple summers ago during a dead hemlock removal--tree failed below him. He is on permanent disability and doesn't have enough brain function left to work a normal job again in his life.


Beware and be safe out there,

 

[treemd]

So sorry to hear of your loss. Sounds like your Grandpa was quite a man. Deepest sympathies from my family to yours.

 

[southsoundtree]

Evo-

I've not know really what to say, so I'll just say that it a terrible shame, and sorry for your family's loss. Be safe.