It is with great sadness I am passing a note from Jenny Giddy to say that Ian Giddy, her husband and joint founder with Jenny of Cloudbridge Reserve near Mt Chirripó and San Gerardo de Rivas, passed away on Sunday June 14th after fighting cancer for some time.
Everyone in San Gerardo knew Ian and the passion he brought to conserving the natural beauty of Costa Rica.
Jenny says:
“Ian’s life and actions touched so many people, and in his intense short life, he was like a shooting star that illuminated a path for those who chose to follow him. So many students benefited from his lectures, so many young researchers gained their experience in the field at Cloudbridge or Wildcliff. Countless animals, birds and plants have a home thanks to his vision. A devoted father, and loving husband, his energy and lust for life were a source of amazement to all who knew him. Constantly challenging all of us in his circle, he demanded a high standard of behavior and achievement not only from us, but mainly from himself. His loss is too deeply felt for adequate expression”
A Memorial Service is being held for Ian this Saturday, June 20th, in New York State. Jenny mentions that in lieu of flowers, Ian would have appreciated donations to the not-for-profit:
Cloud Forest Conservation Alliance (CFCA) P O Box 247, Rhinecliff, NY 12574
(This not-for-profit organization supports the nature reserve in Costa Rica, “Cloudbridge”, which Ian founded.)
Ian has touched San Gerardo in ways few others can aspire to – he will be sorely missed. Here are a few anecdotes from his friends in San Gerardo:
In Loving Memory of our Friend Ian
An Old Dog’s Best Friend!
There are so many great stories about Ian and Genevieve that it’s hard to pick just a few. My favorite memories have to do with how kind Ian was to all animals; he’d go from explaining a very complex issue about biodiversity, to halting when a furry creature crossed his path, stopping to give it some attention, scratching the belly, and words of encouragement to visit him again. Although Tom and I were always excited to have Genevieve and Ian visit, our excitement level was nothing compared to that of our 14 year old, 120 lb. dog, Gallileo, who looked upon Ian as if he was a GOD. We always knew when Ian was coming up the pathway to our home, because Gallileo would be jumping up in the air (as best he could manage due to his full-figure), pacing back and forth frantically along his fence line. Ian seemed to commiserate with Gallileo, and within seconds of seeing each other, they would be doing wrestling stunts that would put the World Wrestling Federation to shame! All the tumbling, grass stains, fur flying (Gallileo’s too), and Ian never seemed to mind getting dirty. And sweet Genevieve, who would be there to do the repairs afterwards, always just enjoyed the spectacle, but when strangers were around, I don’t think she readily admitted that that was her husband out there, rolling around with a mutt can’t blame her! Ian will be missed greatly, and we’ll try to honor him by continuing with the wrestling when we can muster up the energy and strength (it’ll be hard to fill Ian’s shoes). – Tom & Amy Gode
New friends
I remember our first time meeting Ian, he came into the casa with Joe (a researcher) totally covered in mud, sweat, scratches and blood from a short cut he was sure would be easier than taking the trail. It turned out to be primarily mora/blackberry shrubs. He was tired and looked at Genevieve and said “did we know they were coming?” After a shower and chat he invited us to stay in the casita and hike all of the trails over the next week. And we did and in the process we became friends hiking and exploring Cloudbridge together. Tom & Amy Gode
Ian Saves My Life
One of our adventures was attempting to hike down cabrada verde, Ian not one for taking no for an answer decided we could probably slide down a log when the stream narrowed to sheer rock faces on both sides and a 6-7 metre drop appeared in front of us. In the process of checking out the possibility I slipped and went over the edge only to have my t-shirt snag on a small knot on the log and find myself suspended upside down by my shirt and no way to reach anything. Ian who was on the wrong side of the log needed to go back upstream in order to cross the log and reach me. Eventually Ian was able to reach me and get me back to safe ground. Several cracked ribs and a variety of bruises later we agreed that it might be safer to go upstream the next time we tried it. Tom Gode
The Photo
Late one afternoon I stopped by the casa and Ian and I were talking and having a glass of wine when all of a sudden he jumped up and said “come see”. He had been down the road and heard a bird hit a window at a neighbors house, the bird appeared dead, but knowing that many would come to after a while he had placed it in his hat and carried it home. When he opened his hat sure enough the bird had come to and though not ready to fly yet he sat on Ian’s shoulder. Sometime later Genevieve and Amy returned and were amazed to see the bird on Ian’s shoulder, I’m not sure that the amazement was the bird sitting on his shoulder or that Ian had sat in one place for more than a few minutes. The bird spent the evening on Ian, climbing around, pecking his ears and pulling on his hair. That night Genevieve said you can not bring that bird to bed, so Ian placed it out on the balcony and in the morning it was still there. Returning the bird to his shoulder he had breakfast and then placed it out on other porch where it sat until the sunshine hit it and it flew away. Tom & Amy Gode
For more information on his legacy go to: www.cloudbridge.org
14 responses so far ↓
1 Omar Elizondo Martinez // 17 June 2009 at 6:32 AM
Gracias a Ian y su esposa por todo el beneficio que an traido a nuestra comunidad y por ser un ejemplo de conservación y compromiso con el planeta.
Ian le extrañaremos mucho siempre.
2 Tricia Stapleton // 18 June 2009 at 9:05 AM
Ian will always be remembered in my heart and thoughts as bursting with deep wells of energy and enthusiasm. I can see his face right now – that twinkle of light in his eye and cheshire cat grin on his mouth which belied the wonder of life that found its expression through him.
While his life was cut much too short – the legacy of preservation, restoration and an enduring vision of the possibility of our harmony with our natural surroundings will live on through the projects he stewarded and lives he inspired. I write this comment with deep gratitude for having been touched by this amazing individual. May he rest in peace.
3 mick clements // 18 June 2009 at 10:55 AM
It is with much sadness that I learn of Ian passing on and particularly since I was not aware that he was fighting cancer this comes as a huge surprise to me.
Perhaps the acheivement that is Cloudbridge that seems to me to have been established so rapidly and is now so well respected will give comfort to Ian’s family. I am sure that Ian’s contribution to helping our ailing planet at this time is hugely important and will always be honored as such here in this community.
Also I would like to extend my condolences to Genevieve and look forward to meeting with her when next she is in San Gerardo.
4 Peter de Leeuw // 18 June 2009 at 11:59 AM
I cannot help feeling a little weighed down with this news, but I cheer myself with this:
We cannot hope not to die. We can only hope that we will have lived our lives as a grand adventure and that we have shared the light from our hearts in ways that ripple out forever.
In this regard I would have to say that Ian’s life, though shorter than some, was most beautiful. I will always remember him.
5 Chris Hedger // 19 June 2009 at 6:26 PM
Whilst not having the pleasure of meeting Ian myself, i am incredibly thankful for the experience that Ian and Jenny Giddy provided when i visited Cloudbridge Reserve for a research project.
I could tell from this experience that Ian was clearly a man truly dedicated to protecting and restoring the complexity of the worlds diversity he so loved.
Your selfless efforts to this cause Ian will certainly not be forgotten by me, as im sure so many others.
My sincerest condolences to Jenny and Ians family, i hope i can return one day and help maintain Ians fantastic work
6 Margie Brache // 22 June 2009 at 8:11 AM
My heart goes out every day to you, Genevieve. You re-met Ian later on in life and your time with him was too short.
I’m so sorry now that we kept missing you by a week or a month on our trips to Costa Rica. Now a month seems like a small obstacle that should have been reckoned with.
Peter and will probably be back next spring and would love to co-ordinate when you will be there to have a bit of a visit.
My thoughts have been with you everyday. I surround you in the light of strength, clarity, support, peace, acceptance, understanding, awe, and aliveness.
love and hugs
Margie
7 John Titan // 25 June 2009 at 6:09 PM
I remember blazing a trail with Tom and Ian to a spring. We hacked our way through thick undergrowth along a steep slope. I heard a gasp behind me and turned to see Ian cartwheeling in the air, hands and feet off the ground, falling 3 meters below. He grunted, stood up, brushed himself off, and said, “let’s head down here, shall we?”
I miss him.
8 Jackie Medrano // 30 June 2009 at 9:08 PM
Ian did indeed touch so many of us in such profound ways. I can’t believe he’s gone, and Cloudbridge doesn’t seem the same. His legacy will live on, and I thank him for all the gifts he has shared with us, and for the passion he showed for conservation of the forest. But it wasn’t just that, it was the relationships he developed with each person who crossed his path, the way he gave up of his time and his self so selflessly to others, the way he cared for his family and work and everything he did, but with such joy and fervor. Ian, you lived your life and it was amazing, and we will miss you very much.
I personally knew Ian for a relatively short time. I volunteered at Cloudbridge for 3-4 months in 2006 and then another 4 months in 2007. What surprised me was the way he personally mentored ME…just one out of many volunteers, just one of his many other commitments. I found out how so many other aspects of his successful work, life, travels, lectures, etc. beyond Cloudbridge (all over the world, in fact) demanded his attention, and yet, he truly cared about me, took the time to know who I was. He helped me in my research as a young undergrad, fomenting my experience and personal growth. He did this not just with me but with every other volunteer who he encountered. And he had such fun too, learning about our projects, networking us to other volunteer researchers, hiking, sharing meals with us at the casa, and jumping into the frigid waters by the fall with the Global Works kids! Ian, through Cloudbridge you opened up so many doors for me, not just academically, but in my life. San Gerardo knows how much I loved it there and how living there changed my life. It’s there that I became part of a new family with Iris and Ulises, where Amy convinced me to go backpacking through Latin America, where I met my Diego…thanks to Ian and his Cloudbridge Project. It is a magical place that always draws me back, and I will always remember you whenever I go.
9 Chris Saker // 1 July 2009 at 1:11 PM
My heartfelt condolences to Genevieve and the whole Cloudbridge family. Ian’s passing is a great loss not only for his loved ones, but for the whole conservation community. Fortunately he has left behind an amazing legacy, not only in the beautiful environments and ecosystems he was able to protect but also in the message and example he passed on to so many students and volunteers.
I remember visiting Cloudbridge for the first time back in 2007 with a field course from York University. We were all fortunate enough to meet Ian and Genevieve and hear them tell the story of Cloudbridge. I will never forget the spirited lecture Ian gave to the class and the passion he expressed through his work. The experience was so positive that we continue to visit Cloudbridge every year with the annual field course, always taking time to re-tell Ian’s story.
Thank you for everything Ian. Your work and message lives on!
10 Aileen Murphy // 5 July 2009 at 3:00 PM
Dear Genevieve and the Cloudbridge family,
Please accept my condolences, the loss of Ian is great indeed. Even during my short stay at Cloudbridge, it was evident how well respected and admired Ian was– a man who could balance strength with compassion and intellect with humor. He leaves behind a great legacy and will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you,
~Aileen
11 Wynne Geikenjoyner // 11 July 2009 at 12:29 PM
Dear Jenny,
Words can’t express how stunned and saddened I was to learn of Ian’s sudden passing. One can only imagine what a loss you must feel. Hopefully, you also feel much of what I do at this time: a tremendous gratitude to have crossed paths (briefly, in my case) with such a vibrant and inspiring individual. In the few short days I have encountered both you and Ian, both your energies captivated my soul & my intellect. How lucky we all are to have witnessed Ian’s brilliant dreams become the realities of Cloudbridge and Wildcliff. We can only hope that these tremendous legacies will grow to surpass even Ian’s lofty aspirations! My heart is with you, Jenny, as well as the many whose lives Ian touched.
12 Folarin Alayande // 20 July 2009 at 6:10 PM
Hello Jenny,
I am the gentleman from Nigeria who Ian and yourself invited to Cloudbridge last March. I am so glad that I was able to make it to Cloudbridge before Ian passed on.
Ian had been my tutor at a 4-day course in New York after which he invited us to his home in the city, and subsequently invited me to Cloudbridge.
I was intrigued by his passion for life – his love for the Hudson River and for Cloudbridge and the talents the good Lord gave him.
I pray the good Lord grant you and the kids the courage and strength to keep up the good work.
Folarin
13 robin desbiens // 27 August 2009 at 1:32 PM
i would like to send my sincere condoleance to the family, i didn t knew very well ian but i m sure about something he let a big part of his spirit and soul somewhere in san gerardo.
14 Daniela Lizano // 10 August 2010 at 4:45 AM
I remember that one of my first lichen field collection trips was to Cloudbridge Reserve, in 2003. Ian and Jenny welcome us (Ariel, Yi Men and me) with a very warm feeling and gave us all the things we need to carry on our research. Ian joined us during the whole field trip and help us giving us indications about the trails and showing us the beautiful landscape of the property (the waterfalls, the tree reforestaytion project. I have to thank Ian because that time, I fell from a rock, down the river (not on a deep zone, fortunately) and he helped me to go out and continue our walking back to the house.
Definitely, a great and passionate person. I will never forget this research fieldtrip. Places like Cloudbridge and persons like Ian are the ones that encourage you to continue in nature steps….
Thanks a lot!
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