Number 153 March 2004
We are sorry to report that two of our long serving and faithful members have died. Their loss is great and we send our respects to their families.
Robert Miller (1910 - 2002)Robert, who died peacefully on 8 May 2002 age 92, was a member of the council of the Humanist Society of New Zealand. A forestry expert, he was born in Scotland in 1910 and served with the British Colonial Service in Uganda. When he retired from the Colonial Service, he moved to Queensland, Australia and there became active in the Humanist and Rationalist movements. Robert moved again to Auckland, New Zealand settling on the North Shore where he was able to watch some magnificent kauri trees grow in his own back garden.
With his dry wit, keen mind, impeccable logic, and Scottish accent, Robert was the quintessential Scotsman. He could debate with the best and was an able contributor to the Humanist Council until his poor health forced him to retire shortly before his death. Robert was the initiator and editor of the brochure, "An Outline of Humanism in Principal and Practice" that he modestly insisted was entirely the work of others who contributed their ideas. As a loyal supporter of the society, he would regularly make the long 12-hour journey by bus from Auckland to Wellington to attend meetings and to visit his son. Robert is the father of Hugh, Duncan and Bruce, father-in-law to June and Mary, and grandfather of Ewen, Andrea, Carolyn, and Paula. His friend and fellow Humanist Derrick Read, ably conducted his funeral service on the 15 May.
Leslie (Les) Dunn (1934 - 2003)On 24 January 2003 over a 100 people gathered to farewell Les Dun, our Humanist representative and marriage celebrant in Timaru, who died on the 21 January. A Justice of the Peace, Les became a marriage celebrant in 1980. He loved to perform secular ceremonies, particularly the one he performed for his daughter Shelley and son-in-law Mark in 1986. Les would have appreciated the secular ceremony performed for him by a local JP and Civil Celebrant, Kathleen Wills.
Born in Timaru, Les began his working life with the Railways, spent over 30 years in the freezing industry and finally worked as a Support and Development Officer with IHC. A keen sportsman and coach, Les enjoyed archery, becoming a South Island archery champion, and at 39 began competitive running. He coached junior rugby, enjoyed motorcycling and tramping, and took a positive interest in the sporting activities of his children. He was also a talented artist and bone carver, and became an accredited tutor through the Aoraki Youth Trust.
As a Humanist, Les was a supporter of voluntary euthanasia and death with
dignity and was an avid letter writer. He was a debater of the religious, but
as a man of tolerance he was prepared to let the next man follow his own
path, only raising a voice of concern when he saw the actions of others as
being dangerous to mankind, or contrary to justice, fair play, and common
sense. A man of rational thought he followed the Humanist line to a
thoughtful and dignified conclusion. Les is survived by his wife Gae,
daughters Lauren and Shelly, son Craig, their respective partners, Grant,
Mark, and Karen, and seven grandchildren.
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