My father died just before 2 a.m. this morning. He was within sight of his 97th birthday, which would have rolled around December 7.
My sister, Bonnie, got the news to the web early this morning on her blog.
We spent yesterday at his bedside after his condition worsened, but gave up the vigil by early evening. He was not expected to live through the afternoon, but did. Even at the end, he displayed surprising strength, although by now it was a burden and not a blessing.
He made quite a mark in the world of Hawaii ocean sports after arriving in the islands in 1939. He was a founder of the Hawaii Surfing Association, a founder and first president of the Waikiki Surf Club, and a founder of the Makaka Surfing Championships. He headed the Waikiki Surf Club through most of its first decade. He believed in amateur sports, and I don’t think he ever warmed to the idea of surfing becoming a professional enterprise.
I quickly grabbed a few photos that I think he would enjoy seeing again. That’s him surfing in Long Beach, California, in 1938, when he spearheaded organizing of the First National Surfing Championship at a surf spot later wiped out by construction of the Long Beach breakwater. His board had been built by the father of his close friend, Myron Brejcha, who was a Long Beach city official.
The middle photo was a Christmas card sent out by my parents around 1940. They’re walking on Kahala Beach with my mother’s dog, Kiki.
The bottom photo was taken on the beach in Waikiki, early 1950s.
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May peace be with you and your family. Thank you for sharing your journey with him through the last stages of your life together, and for sharing all his great accomplishments! He truly led a blessed and happy life- I am so happy for you that you have so many wonderful photos and stories to remember him.
My very sincere condolences and hopes for peace and happy memories for you and your loved ones, from Texas <3
Deepest aloha and condolences to you and your family. Much mahalo for sharing the many vignettes of your dad’s colorful life.
Thanks for sharing these pictures and stories in your time of loss. Hope to see you soon.
Auwe, Ian. Condolences to Meda and you, your mom, your sister and the rest of your ‘ohana. John Lind was a giant of a man, and we learned just how big he was by reading these pages. I feel like I knew him, a little bit, from reading these pages and following his story. Rest in peace, John. Mahalo for all you have done.
How fortunate that you had your parents present so long. I have enjoyed the stories. Peace to all.
Julia and I are very sorry to learn of your loss. We both have lost our fathers. Even though he is physically gone he will remain in your heart and mind forever. Our condolences from Texas.
Have been following the news and it reminded me of going through the same thing with my mom back in 2000-2001. Our condolences to you and your family.
Ho‘olana n? waimaka o ka lani ka‘a malo‘o ou maka (may the tears of heaven wipe dry your eyes to lighten your grief). Your father’s life is your legacy Ian. May God bless you and your ‘ohana and keep you in His care always.
Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
What a privilege it has been to get to know your Dad a little through your stories and pictures, and I am grateful to you for sharing this sometimes very difficult last voyage. It has helped me cope with my own Dad’s journey. God bless.
My dad passed away on July 30, 2010 in his nursing home. We were comforted by the knowledge that he was free, at peace and with our mom. Be at peace Ian as is your dad.
Ian. I feel like I know your father as well as I know you. Thank you for amplifying his life and accomplishments and achievements on your blog. You are blessed to have had him in your life so long. He’s undoubtedly up there with Duke riding a Long Board and he is at peace.
What an incredible guy! And you did an incredible job sharing him with us. As Ragnar said, take care of yourself in the coming days and weeks. If you are like most, you will find yourself affected in ways that you had not anticipated. Love, support, and patience from your Meda will help you get thru the rough spots.
Ian, sorry for your loss. Let the ocean bring peace to all of you.
Ian, the ocean will soothe the memories and struggles; the observations and this stage your father’s life. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Peace to him, and your family. Lora
Ian I have enjoyed and cried along with your readers as you chronicled your dad’s last year… You are a good son. Remember that and remember your dad lives in you. He is a part of you.
I’m late on this, but my sincerest condolences Ian, my prayers are with you and your family. Mahalo for sharing his life with us.
It was a wonderful life! Mahalo, Ian, for sharing John’s with all of us. My condolences to you and your family.
My deepest sympathies for your loss. May your dad rest in peace.
My condolences to you and your family for their loss. Would that we could all have the courage to chase their dreams and live life to the fullest as your father did.
Ian,
Condolences to you and your family, and gratitude to you for sharing a small portion of your father’s life with us. You’ve used your gift of writing to celebrate your father, and we’re all grateful.
Aloha pumehana,
Ikaika
Ian, my son Lindsay Kane,who passed in 2008, fished with your father and worked on the NADU-K .He admired and respected your father for the wonderful person that he was. My condolences to you and your familhy and may he rest in peace.