We are so deeply grateful to everyone who helped search, and happy that Rob passed while doing what he loved. We are working on how best to honour his incredible work. If you would like to share your memories or messages with the public, please post them using the form below. We are working on a way to share photos as well.
For private messages to the family please click here
Rob Stewart accomplished so much in his life, but there’s still more to do. To honour Rob’s memory, the Stewart family is collecting donations in order to continue his conservation work. You can help by visiting robstewartsharkwaterfoundation.org. A tax receipt will be issued.
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Sometimes we pick the most beautiful flowers in the garden first … Like so many, I was saddened to hear about the loss of such a compassionate and change-driven soul. I never met Rob, but his work inspired me and taught me so much about environmental injustice and how falsely demonized the shark has become in a world of greed and ignorance.
The sharks have indeed lost one of their greatest advocates, but hopefully Rob has inspired many to follow in his footsteps.
Hi my name is Gefen Levi and I live in La Ronge SK Canada. I am 9 years old and I realy feel sad about Rob Stewart’s death. I learned about Rob Stewart at school in one of my school books and then I decided to watch Sharkwater. I thought Sharkwater was sad but it was very inspiring to me and I thought when I would be an adult I would like to save sharks too. I have snorkeled with whale sharks and nurse sharks too like Rob Stewart. I think I could save sharks by protesting, maybe saving up money and buying a hellicopter and patroling if people are killing sharks in the area. Rob is a hero to me. RIP Rob Stewart.
He will be remembered as the man that started the change. RIP Rob.
Dear family and friends of Rob Stewart,
My name is Hélène Defossez and I am a writer and activist from France. I did not know Rob personally and never had the chance to cross his path but his work had a huge impact on my own work and commitment. This is why (and he probably did not know this but I regret it now…) I mentioned him in one of my books, A Plate of Resistance, vegetarianism as an answer to world’s violence (Lantern Books, NY, first published in French then English) as one outstanding example of true inspiration for eco warriors.
Of course, you already know what an inspiration he is to so many people but it was important for me to let his loved ones know what a special place he has in my heart. I am so proud now to see his name written in those pages, it gives me confort that he will never be forgotten, that this kind of actions create a chain of good that goes further that we can ever suspect…
Anyway, I’m sorry if this is out of place but it was important for me to tell you that his name is alive in my book and that his work inspire my (modest) work. It is not much. I am not a very famous author, I’m just one little soldier, but it’s there and it’s one of the many ripples his bravery and his energy have created over the world. Now, his example will keep me going and carry on the fight for animals and the planet, for a more compassionate world, aware and curious of its wonders.
With all my gratitude and love, H.
Rob was truly an inspiration to me and seriously like an idol and a huge part of my life, I wish I could’ve had the privilege of meeting him and diving with him, Rob is the reason I want to pursue a future in shark conservation, because his films really got home to me, I’ve always LOVED sharks, and I’ve been very diligently spreading the word of his movies to friends, and strangers alike to really change how they feel and view these beautiful creatures. His undeserving death, really tears me up emotionally. And I’m really terribly sorry for your loss. But atleast he passed doing what he loved and fighting for what he believed in. He will be truly missed…
Like may others, Rob is my hero. His work is proof that you can alter even the most fixed perceptions through unwavering passion and presenting things in raw and beautiful ways. His life brought so much hope and for this he will always have a place in our hearts.
Be the change you want to see in the world. Be like Rob.
In God’s Light where it all began may you be protected in loving comfort of eternal embrace. Your Spirit is Gentle yet Powerful and strong, methodical and smart, the unconditional love and utmost compassion you have for our fellow cousins, our sentient beings – the animals of the sea , their world of peace and harmony, the garden of Eden where each moves in synchronicity, each extremely tenderly sensitive and responsive, vulnerable and childlike – their world of tranquility and haven of safety; you our beloved Rob worked righteously, passionately, enthusiastically and bravely like Guardian and Protector King Neptune of Our Seas, you Our Beloved Rob is and always will be God’s Angelic Strong Spirit of our Seas. I am too deeply saddened by your physical presence unable to be with all ours, I feel I lost a true connected friend and hero but my tears remind me that you never left us nor your Beloved Family your stronger than ever before as God’s Divine Angel for you will guide another along your path to carry on what you lived to be. I must forgive I find it hard very hard and painful to do, forgive the person/s responsible for leading you into troublesome, unexplained thorough deep dive which I find it bizzare to fathom, there’s no way our Rob would have not calculated the risk and dived 3 times in one day, there’s no way our Rob would have acted with way not without being led astray. Some person/s is responsible for this not Rob it doesn’t make any sense because Rob is all about logic and perfect sense. I hope and pray that if something needs addressing it will come forward for Rob’s beautiful family deserves peace along with his other family the ones like myself who feel so connected to their hero that our love for him will carry on for eternity. I love you Rob and wish I could have been there to help save you. Be at peace with your two families including the ones of the Seas’ Love and Light eternally yours Eve XX
Deeply sad news; we’ve lost a great film-maker and a great advocate for sharks and our oceans RIP Rob
I showed Sharkwater to my students every year I was a classroom teacher. The students then bought Sea Shepard T shirts and no longer had a great of their Galveston, Texas Gulf Coast sharks. They learned to respect them and understand their behavior all starting with this amazing film. Thanks Rob for your inspiring work.
What a wonderful man who lived his life with great passion and purpose although his life was tragically short he achieved more than most of us can dream of. .
My condolences to Rob’s family… His films are his gift to current and future generations to understand the message Rob was sending us. I hope his name will live forever alongside the likes of Charles Darwin, Steve Irwin, Mandela, Gandhi and as rightly stated in his movie, it is the individuals like these who make a difference in our world and Rob was one of them. May he RIP.
My heart goes out to Rob’s family & friends. I am deeply saddened by our loss of a truly gifted film maker/conservationist/activist. Our planet has lost one of its best champions.
His films changed the way in which I view the world, they changed me forever & touched my soul; they were so beautifully crafted, exciting & fun to watch, & above all, they were a wake up call to everyone. I had to share them with my daughter. I mention his work to anyone who will listen & have repeatedly recommended them to friends.
True genius, true bravery, & passion like I’ve never witnessed. A real Canadian hero, we were blessed by his brief but brilliant light. Hopefully, the world will never be the same.