Comments on: Memorial Service for Dr. Fritz Koerner: June 1, 2008

By: Cara Koerner

Cara Koerner — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:53:20 +0000

rest in peace uncle Roy, even though i didnt get to spend much time with him. the tiems i did were great and the memories treasured forever. He was an amazing and funny man and touched the lives of many people. Brilliant man, missed by all im sure i can say.

By: Kari Herbert

Kari Herbert — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 15:36:27 +0000

A memorial to celebrate the lives of Sir Wally Herbert and Dr Roy ‘Fritz’ Koerner will be held at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 7th April 2009. Entrance is free and open to all. The doors will open at 6pm and the ‘event’ will start at 7pm.

Speakers will include members of the Herbert and Koerner families and some leading lights from the world of exploration and science. More information can be found at http://www.polarworld.co.uk/news.htm

North Pole & Beyond: Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London. 7pm, 7 April 2009

By: peter dunn

peter dunn — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:03:07 +0000

accurate than the under-ice fumblings of submarines. After Wally died I got in touch with Fritz. Like a true friend he was immensely concerned for Marie’s welfare. Older scientists may remember that a certain controversy – which I had to report on – clouded this magnificent Arctic adventure. My abiding memory of Fritz was his indisputable role as the expedition’s rock – calm, quirky-humoured, brave and immensely loyal to the Boss – my hero.

By: peter dunn

peter dunn — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:51:30 +0000

I covered Wally’s trans-Arctic expedition from Point Barrow for the London Sunday Times. Just four weeks before he died Wally and his wife Marie came for lunch at our little cottage in Dorset, England. He coluldn’t speak highly enough of his admiration for Fritz’s scientific work throughout the crossing which remains to this day highly-relevant to other scientists work on global warming – and much more

By: MacKenzie Lunney

MacKenzie Lunney — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:23:18 +0000

I traveled to Antarctica with this great man just this past winter. He always made us laugh and knew how to have fun. I didn’t realize how much of an impact he would make on my life, like the other comments also say, but he really did. I can’t even imagine the damage that the world is going to suffer now that we’ve lost another amazing man like Fritz.

R.I.P<3

By: Drew Cemer

Drew Cemer — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:31:44 +0000

I met Fritz on my first SOI Antarctica expedition, and I had met my match. What wit, what character, what knowledge. It was an honor to study and work with Fritz, but a priviledge to have had him as a mentor and a friend. Just to know Fritz was incredible. The opportunity to travel with him on several expeditions to the Arctic intensified my own course. I will truly miss that old Brit. All that he has done is amazing, but his dedication to working with students was more than that. He shared his passion, his knowledge, his strengths, his stories, and his life. Fritz and SOI helped me find my passion and my future which I am so grateful for. I hope that one day I can make Fritz proud, and make a difference as he has done. I know that I will catch a glimpse of Fritz in a glacier, a bergy bit, or an icy snow flake the next time I am in Antarctica – or better yet – a chunk of drifting ice. That was Fritz, and that is Fritz as his legacy will always be part of each and everyone of us that traveled, learned, and explored with the best of Fritz. He has influenced my life, and I thank his family for sharing him. Cheers Fritz.

By: Brittany Pieters

Brittany Pieters — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:12:31 +0000

I had the privilege of going on Fritz’s last Antarctic expedition this past December. I didn’t really understand the last impact he would have on my life. He is truly a person who had a deep passion for life, that I only hope to reach one day. May his memory live on for generations to come.

By: Barb Sherman

Barb Sherman — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:43:03 +0000

I worked for Fritz for many years and can say it was a pleasure and a privilege to have known someone like him. He would come back from the voyages with the students and tell us about them. You could feel the commitment to the project in his voice. He made me feel like part of a team and always had time to smile and cheer you up. I will miss this man, as my former boss said “he was one of the good guys”. Fritz never talked down to a person and made you feel important. His stories of field work were always enjoyed and I know that the others that worked with him will miss this truly Canadian explorer.