Tributes flow for Peter Button

Press, 26 November 1987, Page 3

Tributes flow for Peter Button

PA Wellington The helicopter rescue pilot, Peter Button, was described as one of New Zealand’s greatest sons at his funeral service in Wellington yesterday. The service, in the Wellington Town Hall, was attended by more than 2000 people from all walks of life. The tribute came from a Wellington neurosurgeon, Russell Worth, a longtime friend of Mr Button who accompanied him on many of the rescue flights that have become legendary in Wellington.

Mr Worth is chairman of the Life Flight Trust, set up to continue the pioneering medical air ambulance work of Mr Button.

“Peter was the pioneer of helicopter medical services in New Zealand, both in his battles with the court, in his engineering ability, and his flying skills,” Mr Worth said in his tribute to his friend and colleague. The basis of the 40minute service was formed by tributes to Mr Button by Mr Worth and other longtime friends. They were the Lower Hutt City councillor, Lawrence Woodley, who grew up with him in Miramar, the Capital Helicopters chair-man-elect, Mike Jensen,

and a business associate, Mark Dunajiscik. These four, plus Mr sons, Clive and Brent, were the pall-bear-ers. Among the dignitaries present were the Mayor of Wellington, Mr Jim Belich, a former Mayor, Mr lan Lawrence, city councillors, the Minister of Transport and Heretaunga M.P., Bill Jeffries, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bolger, and Mrs Joan Bolger, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr John Jamieson, and the Wellington district police commander, Mr Peter Mairs. The Governor-General, Sir Paul Reeves, was represented by an honorary aide-de-camp. Mr Button, with a noted photographer, Ronald Woolf, and a property developer, Dion Savage, died in a helicopter crash north of Wellington on Friday. Mr Woolf’s funeral was held in Wellington’s Chevra Kadisha Tahara House on Monday and a funeral service for Mr Savage was held at All Saints’ Church, Hataitai, on Tuesday. Mr Worth said, “When Peter saw the Wahine sink in Wellington Harbour he stood on the beach and said, ‘There must be a better way.’

"And when a hunter shot in the hills behind Wainuiomata died before a helicopter could arrive from Christchurch, again he said, ‘There must be a better way.’ “And so he bought a helicopter and was taught to fly it ... Capital Helicopters was born.” “Peter was an enigma. He professed to live by the philosophy of Ayn Rand — he gave me the copy of her book entitled ‘The Virtue of Selfishness,’ yet he was completely unselfish,” said Mr Worth, his voice taut with emotion. In spite of the danger, the tragic nature of some of the jobs, Mr Button’s love was flying. “Once we strapped into the aircraft we could leave the world and its problems behind,” he said. Wellingtonians simply came to accept the feats of Peter Button and it was fitting that he was awarded the 0.8. E. and the Queen’s Gallantry Medal. “Peter was a shy person, but he was deeply honoured by these awards,” Mr Worth said. Unlike the type of procession Wellington is used to, there were no smiles as the crowd paid its silent respect.