Posted on 01/10/2008 3:09:14 PM PST by NormsRevenge
WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Sir Edmund Hillary, the unassuming beekeeper who conquered Mount Everest to win renown as one of the 20th century's greatest adventurers, has died, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced Friday. He was 88.
The gangling New Zealander devoted much of his life to aiding the mountain people of Nepal and took his fame in stride, preferring to be called "Ed" and considering himself just an ordinary beekeeper.
"Sir Ed described himself as an average New Zealander with modest abilities. In reality, he was a colossus. He was an heroic figure who not only 'knocked off' Everest but lived a life of determination, humility, and generosity," Clark said in a statement.
"The legendary mountaineer, adventurer, and philanthropist is the best-known New Zealander ever to have lived," she said.
Hillary's life was marked by grand achievements, high adventure, discovery, excitement — and by his personal humility. Humble to the point that he only admitted being the first man atop Everest long after the death of climbing companion Norgay.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Sir Edmund Hillary, the unassuming beekeeper who conquered Mount Everest and was the first man to drive a tractor across Anactica to win renown as one of the 20th century's greatest adventurers, has died, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced Friday. He was 88.
The gangling New Zealander devoted much of his life to aiding the mountain people of Nepal and took his fame in stride, preferring to be called "Ed" and considering himself just an ordinary beekeeper.
Hillary's life was marked by grand achievements, high adventure, discovery, excitement — and by his personal humility. Humble to the point that he only admitted being the first man atop Everest long after the death of climbing companion Norgay.
Farewell to a humble hero who used his notariety only for the good.
I think you misread it; I said “the man Hillary is named after”, not that the man is named after Hillary.
That cold but very funny LOL!
Gee, Hillary’s namesake. I wonder if she’s shed a tear over his death.
Quick, get a camera on HRC crying for her namesake....
What a cool dude. Heaven’s richer, I hope.
Sad news. Prayers for his family.
RIP.
Ol’ Crusty is going to get another workout.
Interesting that your picture shows Norkey with an oxygen mask, but not Hillary. I read Norkey's book, Tiger of the Snows, when I was a kid. Fascinating book. Later, I learned Norkey's and Hillary's accounts differed in one important aspect: I distinctly remember Norkey writing that he assisted Hillary in ascending the final hundred meters or so... Hillary claimed just the opposite.
Come on! Hillary’s parents named her after him because of his Bee Keeping exploits, then he happened to do some mountain thingy later.
I must assume that somehow they took their own picture.
What a heroic, unassuming man. The world just got a little poorer for his passing.
Salute, Sir Ed.
Worth repeating....
LOL
If only...
BTW wouldnt it be great if a reporter asks her for a comment on his death since she was named after him? She would either have to correct the lie or lie again. most likely the latter.
Wow. That’s a nicely pressed shirt. I wonder who ironed it.
He was quite the opposite of HRC. A humble, self-effacing and deeply generous man. The world will miss him.
Let us try to be a little less spiteful then the left wing nuts are. Let us instead wish only for her electoral defeat.
Sadden to hear of that other Hilary having passed on.
Brilliant. Or ask Bubba...
Could be 2008’s “don’t tase me, bro...” moment
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