He was its first chairman, at the age of 20, and it was just two years ago that he retired, although he says, when asked his age: "I'm 73. I feel about 25."
Starting in the days when the rescued usually had to be carried out on foot, and when the lack of radio facilities meant the fittest in the team had to hunt out all the others to let them know it was over, he was responsible for establishing helicopter pads and a permanent radio repeater network to help co-ordinate search and rescue efforts.
Under his leadership, thousands of dollars were raised each year, and with technology (cellphones, GPS and other means) also commonly now in play, the rewards are obvious.
Where there were once five to ten significant searches a year, along with standby alerts, they're now rare, and usually short.
However, he maintains none of the 90-100 people on call should be complacent and says the next emergency could be just around the corner.
The "townie" son of a Wairoa account, his fondness for the bush developed through an uncle and aunt who farmed near Gisborne, and with him he often stayed in a cabin at Home Bay.
Having boarded at Gisborne High School, he spent two years as a Smedley farm cadet in Central Hawke's Bay in 1956-57, and returned to farm in the Wairoa district, marrying and settling on a property he eventually bought.
Remaining with the SAR as patron, other service includes being a founding member of Friends of the Te Urewera National Park since its inception in 1964 and president from 1989 to 2011.
He is also a life member of the Wairoa Agriculture and Pastoral Society.
He also served as president of the New Zealand Hunts Association, stemming from his membership of Mahia Hunt Club, and keen participation until Samson, son of Delilah, had to be put down last year.
He also wrote his memoirs in a book Tales from the Ruakituri. Editorial, p10
Full national honours list, p25
