A tragic death: Dr Steve Luke – a huge loss

12th November 2008

It is with great sadness that Village Connections records the tragic death of Dr Steve Luke (on Saturday, 8th September, 2008) as a result of injuries sustained a few days earlier in a motor accident.

Steve was a student at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, completing his doctorate in sociology this year (2008). His thesis was regarded as exceptional by his examiners, who successfully recommended it for the Dean's List.

Steve made unique and creative contributions to local and wider academic, policy and community life, and to debates and understanding. He was also shaping up as a major contributor to Village Connections, both in his comments (refer to Steve L) and through his behind the scenes assistance.

Steve’s unexpected death serves as a reminder of the often tenuous nature of our existence, and the need to value and support one another to make our contributions while we are able.

In the Village Conversations there have been several references to authenticity – to the need to support an authentic village life, which is based on that most basic form of care, that is, what we truly care about.

Steve was an authentic person. He put his great intellect and energy into projects (academic, policy and community) based around such care.

In the vein of Socrates in the formative days of democracy, and later Thomas Paine who was crucial to its modern development, Steve's contribution to public life, as to this virtual Village, was often that of a Gadfly. His frequently eloquent proddings and provocations, including occasional stings and barbs, were designed to awaken and enlighten us to problems about which he felt deeply, including especially to what he saw as “creeping corporate fascism.”

Related Connections: more about Steve's life indymedia

Memories of Steve by Terry Austrin (Head of Head of School of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Canterbury Aotearoa/New Zealand )

Memories of Steve by Rosemary Du Plessis, (Steve's thesis supervisor)

Any comments, responses, and contributions most welcome

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• Dr Steve Luke and Sociology at Canterbury – by Terry Austrin
• Dr Steve Luke and Sociology at Canterbury – by Rosemary Du Plessis
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Tags: academia, authentic, care, community, democracy, Local Government, media, recognition

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