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NZ-born Australian coach Sam le Compte died on 12th June 2005 after a short struggle with mesothelioma, an asbestos-induced form of lung cancer. Below are some things correspondents with the Rowing Service have written about Sam. Unless I have specific permission, the authors will not be identified.
From Elizabeth Jack, sent 17th June This will no doubt be my final e-mail to everyone as a group. It leaves me feeling even more sad than I already was. I have to admit that being able to do something as simple as passing on news to everyone has been therapeutic in itself. The funeral is over, Sue is now left to spread the ashes, and today I am feeling very hollow and 'down'. I'm sure you can all relate. My heart is certainly not in my work today, to say the least. This e-mail is more for those of you who were unable to attend the funeral, as I'm sure you would like to know whether or not we gave Sam the send-off he deserved. I'm afraid I don't have any photos from the day, so it will only be my words, or those of others you may have already heard from. I have a feeling Sam may have had a hand in the day, starting with the scene that was set on the jetty when people arrived. His coffin was placed on the end of the jetty, with flowers, a photo of Sam and a carving of him in his coaching boat. Also on the jetty were a rowing shell and his coaching boat, complete with his jacket, megaphone and oars. What made the picture even more poignant was the mist that surrounded the jetty and drifted down the river, giving it an almost surreal look. It was a sight many of us will not forget. The rowing club was full to the rafters, with standing room only and people spilling out the doors; all there to pay their respects to a great man and coach, to share their grief and to also share a few of the hilarious Sam stories all of us can tell. The ceremony was complete with poems, prayers, songs, eulogy and a range of photographs and vision up on the screen, all of which helped to paint the total Sam picture. The day was certainly not all sadness. Each of us was able to find a few things to smile and laugh about, just as many tears were also shed. The most difficult moment for me was watching two of his daughters and his Athens lightweight four crew carry him away during the recessional; for others it was watching the many happy, sad and funny Sam shots on the screen while "Joy of Life" and "Going Home" by Kenny Gee were played; listening to Carmel Burgess' rendition of 'My Way'; or Tammie Ebert's reading of the poem, 'After Glow'. I also admired the strength Sue showed in standing to thank everyone on behalf of her, Sam and their families for not just their attendance at the funeral, but for their love and support through Sam's illness and even prior to that. Had Sam been watching, I am sure he would have been pleased with his send-off, including the drinks and laughter shared by everyone following the service. Even the weather was just right, with rain falling lightly after the mist and fog lifted, then sunshine appearing through the clouds after the service. (Sam's hand again maybe). At least we can say we started with a tear and finished with a smile. Like everyone else, I will miss Sam terribly, but I will always be grateful for the time I had with him and for what he left us with. His physical presence may be gone, but his legacy will live on forever. The following poem was read in the committal and probably sums things up better than I can: We are all trying to work out why Mark Burgess
Rest in peace Sam. Liz
An excellent tribute from reporter Peter Newlinds in ABC News, Tasmania.
Received Monday 13th June "I was shocked and saddened to hear about Sam Le Compte - I rowed 3 behind Sam in a 4- at Lake Karapiro in 1978 when we won our 1st red coat together at the NZ rowing championships. Like Harry he was a great communicator and passionate about his rowing." Received Monday 13th June "It was the lack of symptoms that surprised us all. I shared a room with Sam in Varese and Athens last year, and the only thing that he spoke about, and saw the team doctor about was an elevated heart rate late in the tour. At an Olympic team debrief in March he said was better " but not 100%", but again no obvious symptoms and certainly not the breathing problems that we assumed accompanied the disease. There is a huge court case on over here about victims of asbestos, and lots of vision of mesothelioma victims, and so I guess that was what surprised us when told that Sam had it, as he certainly displayed none of those symptoms that we had all become accustomed to seeing on the TV. He was a plumber in NZ, and they used asbestos lagging as hot water pipe insulation, as well as in roofing material. A good man, a tough man, a good mate of Harry Mahon, a great producer of spoonerisms, and general language mangling, but he got his message across, and we all felt great affection for him. We will miss him firing up the Aussie coaches meetings. He could certainly fire up, and I reckon he didn't get that broken nose playing chess." Received Sunday 12th June in the UK "Some very sad news from down under. Sam le Compte, Kiwi born coach of the Aus Silver medal Athens LM4-, and the Silver medal Sydney Olympic LM4- died yesterday after a short illness. Sam was the Head Rowing coach of the Tasmanian Institute of Sport, and had done a fantastic job in Tas, especially with the lightweights there. He married last Saturday. I spoke to Sam a month ago, and he assured me that his lymph system had a clean bill of health 'from top to toe', however, later the same day he had breathing difficulties, and we understand it was mesothelioma, that took him in such a short time. Sam also coached NZ crews before he moved to Australia."
Via FISA
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