In a lifetime we will meet many inspiring individuals, I wrote about one such person, Ewen Chatfield, last week. I have been privileged to have met and worked with a number of amazing people over the years. One such person is a fellow, originally from California, called Marty Schmidt. I met Marty in Hawke’s Bay New Zealand in 1988, and we soon became close friends. As a mentor and role model, Marty motivated children and young people to continually strive to reach their potential. With his genuine and warm encouragement, he would push the comfort zone and at the same time allow everyone to remain positive about their abilities. I worked together with Marty on many occasions with students of various age, he was fun, inspiring and motivating. In addition to his work with children, Marty worked as a Mountain Guide, guiding clients up the highest mountains in the world.
My friend Marty – the motivator, the inspirer, the adventurer.
On Monday evening I received a call from my 25 year old son, Hamish, who lives in New Zealand. Hamish grew up with Marty’s son Denali; they went to kindergarten and college together and were great mates. Hamish was the first to bring me the tragic news of an avalanche that occurred on K2 last Friday evening, which appears has taken the lives of my dear friend and his son.
If we measure the worth of a life by the number of people we have motivated and inspired, then my dear friend lived a life of lifetimes. I know that for all of us working at IFS, the task that we too are striving for, is to be great inspirers and motivators for the students in our care.
Here is another account you may wish to read from someone who had only met Marty recently.
http://mountainworldproductions.com/wp/2013/07/in-memoriam-marty-denali-schmidt.html
Kind regards,
Rodney
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