Husband died not knowing his wife’s fate
Bob Stewart put his life on hold after the mysterious disappearance of his wife, Kaye Stewart.
The retired Karori physiotherapist vanished on June 13, 2005, after visiting Remutaka Forest Park for a short walk.
Despite a huge effort by police, search and rescue volunteers, the army and her family, the 62-year-old was never found.
Daughter Jane Galanakis said her father died on January 8 after a short battle with cancer.
The 86 year-old never got over the disappearance of his wife, she said.
‘‘Mum and Dad had a great life together and had planned to travel overseas but he really stopped doing anything after we lost Mum.’’
The family were tight knit and supported each other but her father’s death was very emotional for the whole Stewart clan, she said.
‘‘There was always the hope that Mum would be found. It is sad to see Dad go without Mum being found and Dad not having that closure.’’
Her father always believed the case was foul play and could be solved.
In 2013, coroner Garry Evans found Kaye Stewart died of ‘‘undetermined’’ causes on June 13, 2005 in what was then known as Rimutaka Forest Park.
Her body was thought to have been ‘‘destroyed or become irrecoverable or lost’’.
Galanakis described Robert Stewart as a loving father, who had a passion for ham radio and Formula One racing.
Stewart helped establish New Zealand’s television network and was involved in putting up the Mt Kaukau transmitter and the introduction of colour TV.
He was also a stalwart of the Northland Memorial Community Centre for many years.
Galanakis still believes the mystery of her mother’s disappearance can be solved and urged anyone with information to contact Detective Sergeant Mike Sears, of Lower Hutt police.