[jradomski]

From Kim Smith


It is with much grief that I write this letter. Gordon Smith, President of Jetsam Technologies Ltd. has passed away. He died suddenly on Monday, January 9th of an illness. It was unexpected. This was in no way a diving related death or accident.

At this time, the staff at Jetsam Technologies, the executer of his estate and I will be evaluating the business. At this point, no decision has been made with regards to Jetsam.

During this evaluation period, the business will be open and staff will be there to answer any technical questions or help with any repairs. As this is an extremely difficult time for us, I ask that you please respect our privacy with regards to Gordon's death.

Kim Smith
2817 Murray Street
Port Moody, BC
V3H 1X3 Canada

Phone: 1 604 469 9176
Fax: 1 604 469 9974
www.jetsam.ca
www.kissmanufacturing.com

[jradomski]

Kim,

You have my deepest condolences.. Gordon was a great guy and will be missed dearly..

if there is ANYTHING I can do for your just ask...

[abowie]

Awful, awful news.

[rdriver]

What A shock, My deepest sympathy, the rebreather world will not be the same without him.
Rob

[caveseeker7]

I just got off the phone with Joe, thanks my friend for calling and trying to prepare me for the sad, numbing announcement you made.

Gordon was a wonderful and kind man, full of ideas, passion, generousity and humor.
I enjoyed every minute of the brief meetings, and will miss his wit and his smile.

Kim, dear Kim, my heart goes out to you and my thoughts are with you.

[heyydude]

This is just awful. Gordon was one of the finest human beings I've ever met or had the pleasure to know. He was an artisan and a gentleman. I was just talking to Doug this evening about some of the people I admire in the diving business, and Gordon's name was at the top of the list. Strange kharma...

My condolences to Kim and the entire Jetsam staff. Gordon will never be forgotten in this industry as a pioneer, and a man that did it with panache and skill.

We've lost someone most special.

Kevin Juergensen
Juergensen Marine.

[bgpartri]

It's hard to put a memorial to such an interesting and dynamic person as Gordon into a few words, but I need to say something.

Many of you know Gordon as the man behind the KISS, but I saw another side of him. Maybe you didn't get to see that side.

Gordon was an iconoclast of the first order. He questioned everything and everyone, deciding for himself. He read voraciously with a particular interest in economics and could discuss current world events with the best.

Gordon had a way of getting to the heart of complex issues. You may not always agree, but it was always worth listening.

Some of you will recognize Gordon in these:

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gordon Smith)

Regardless of the method employed the death rate worldwide still stands
at one per person.

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gordon Smith)

Peoples risk perception is almost always focused on the most dramatic rather than the most probable.

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gordon Smith)

And in America men wear suspenders in public and braces are something the orthodontist puts on your teeth, we name out daughters Fanny and shag is something we put on the floor rather than do on the floor. In England everyone can get knocked up every day but in America it only happens to women and at the most every nine months.

It's amazing we can communicate at all. Or do we?

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gordon Smith)

>Dear gordon,
>Do you really think that as soon as we get alarms we tend to rely on it and
>forget to monitor ppO2?

Absolutely! Though the degree depends on the attitude of the diver.

It is easy to test the phenomenon yourself:

Take your motorcycle (mountain bike will do), put on all of your protective
gear, (helmet, boots, gloves, knee pads, leathers,etc.). Now go find a nice
gravel road that winds up a steep hill and ride to the top at the highest
speed you feel comfortable. When you get to the top park the bike and take
off not just your protective equipment but your cloths as well. Now ride
back down the same road and notice the difference in your riding technique.

If there isn't any difference in your riding technique I would suggest
avoiding rebreathers altogether.

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gordon Smith)

Eventually everything (and everyone) f**ks up.

[Genesis]

Oh wow.

Condolances to Kim and all others affected - this is an utter and complete shock. I had sent an email a couple of days ago to Jetsam asking about something (its of no importance under the circumstances!) and was curious because Jetsam is known for near-immediate replies.

The world has lost someone who truly had "a better idea."

May you be with s Gordon.....

[starfishdiving]

I was very stunned to hear about Gordon's passing. What a loss to the diving community. My thoughts and prayers go out to Kim and their family. The world has lost one of the good guys.

Randy Williams
Starfish Diving, Inc
Seattle, WA USA

[sadave]

What can I say that hasn't already been said.

I only had the pleasure of meeting Gordon 4 or 5 times at various shows, conferences, and even a xmas party, in various locations across oz, and a more genuine, down to earth, honest bloke, you'd be struggling to find.
And a brilliant engineer to boot. The dive industry will be poorer for not having him and his skills.

Sincerest condolences to Kim and the rest of the family.

Dave Pearce