‘No mother wants a dead hero’
Showing up to a wedding in ripped jeans. Living off the land around Kaikoura. Putting his life on the line for others. That’s the kind of man Steve Askin was.
The 37-year-old helicopter pilot, who died fighting the Port Hills fire in Christchurch last week, was farewelled by 500 friends and family at the Air Force Museum yesterday. Emotional speeches headlined the funeral service, detailing the character of a cheeky guy and decorated war hero who was always keen for adventure.
The memorial began with a stoic address by Askin’s father Paul, who thanked the New Zealand Army for its support. ‘‘It’s amazing for a guy who got so many tellings-off and kept getting called into the boss’ office,’’ he joked.
Paul discussed his son’s upbringing, starting on a farm in Roxburgh, Otago, before the family moved to Auckland, where Steve was a bit of a trouble-maker. The family then moved to Ruatoria, where Steve and his brother Pete enjoyed hunting possums and pigs.
When Steve announced he was joining the army, Paul said it ‘‘was a bit left-field for his mum and dad. We said just as long as he doesn’t want to go into that dangerous bit, the SAS’’.
That’s what Steve ended up doing, serving in East Timor and Afghanistan.
His father finished by saying: ‘‘Steve’s death gives us a mountain to climb, one we didn’t want to climb, but we’re going to climb it together with the help of God.’’
One of his sisters, Erin, described a funny moment when she asked Steve to bless her wedding, and he turned up with ripped jeans and unkempt hair ‘‘scruffiest’’ person there.
His mother Leslie also offered a few words, saying: ‘‘No mother wants a dead hero.’’
Steve’s brother, Pete, then took the stage in a dress shirt and stubbies, in acknowledgement of his brother’s casual attire. He spoke of a time when he and Steve decided to walk 171km up the Kaikoura coast with no food, no tent and very little clothing. They lived off what they caught.
This was typical for Steve: ‘‘He didn’t like something that he did unless it was the top five of dangerous experiences.’’
A Fire Service representative said Askin loved fighting fires: ‘‘He felt a huge sense of achievement knowing his hard and skillful work made such a big difference to everyone else.’’
Askin is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and two children. – the