Home Latest News Archive Antarctic Pioneer Richard Barwick will be missed
Antarctic Pioneer Richard Barwick will be missed
19/11/2012
Richard (Dick) Barwick's Antarctic achievements leave a legacy few associated with the icy continent are not familiar with.
Richard's first brush with the ice was as part of Sir Edmund Hillary's TAE support team in the summer of 1956/57. He returned the following summer as part of New
Zealand's role the Commonwealth Antarctic Research Programme. Dick along with Barrie McKelvey, Peter Webb and Colin Bull were also the first research team to explore the McMurdo Dry Valleys in a 1958/59 VUWWAE expedition. The Barwick Valley is named after Dick and likewise McKelvey Valley, Webb Glacier and Bull Pass after his colleagues. Many of the Wright and Victoria Valley place names were named by these pioneers and Dick holds a very special place in NZ Antarctic history.
Zealand's role the Commonwealth Antarctic Research Programme. Dick along with Barrie McKelvey, Peter Webb and Colin Bull were also the first research team to explore the McMurdo Dry Valleys in a 1958/59 VUWWAE expedition. The Barwick Valley is named after Dick and likewise McKelvey Valley, Webb Glacier and Bull Pass after his colleagues. Many of the Wright and Victoria Valley place names were named by these pioneers and Dick holds a very special place in NZ Antarctic history.
Since the 1980's Dick has become a world authority on Devonian fish with extensive field experience across Australia locating and examining fossils . He has supervised 50 graduate students and retired in 1996 from ANU.
Sadly he passed away peacefully at the Canberra Hospital on 10th November 2012 aged 83. A private funeral will be held at 11am on Tuesday 20th November at Tobin Bros Chapel, Belconnen. An online guest book for your expressions is available here and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Red Cross or www.MSF.org.au
A celebration of Richard's life will be held at the Australian National University in the weeks to come.