A heartfelt plea to “make Raglan a safer place” with easier access to defibrillators has been made following the sudden death of Kyle Leuthart, an award-winning real estate agent also variously described in tributes last week as a gun surfer, diver, “Mr Greenfingers” gardener, family man and all-round good guy.
Chris Leuthart told a large crowd at his son’s Hamilton Gardens funeral that emergency services did their best to save the 49 year old after an unexpected heart attack. However there was no defibrillator on hand for a crucial 15 minutes. Chris believes a defibrillator could’ve made a difference along with the CPR his son was receiving.
Raglan has now a “burgeoning” population, he points out, and the town needs not only more defibrillators 24/7 but also to be better aware of their locations.
And he vowed to make it happen. “Raglan is a fantastic community,” Chris said. “We can do anything.”
Chris – describing the Monday afternoon turnout at the gardens’ pavilion as “overwhelming” – told of Kyle’s upbringing in Raglan as a schoolboy, and of his adventures and hi-jinks overseas before returning to his hometown to start a family and a new career in real estate.
He described Kyle’s short life as being very much like a whirlwind, and accident-prone to boot. Having started out at Raglan Area School – after Chris and his then wife Sharleen moved here from Huntly – he progressed on to Southall, New Plymouth Boys’ High and then Hamilton Boys’ where once he got struck by lightning “and survived!”
He was later to narrowly escape the Bali bombing, Chris recalled, “but sadly he did not get out of this recent incident alive”.
Kyle ventured overseas after getting a Bachelor of Science degree at Canterbury University and working for a time with MAF, trapping gypsy moths.
He was an adventure-seeking guy, Chris chuckled, snowboarding on his OE off what looked like 40 metre-high drops. “He was a daredevil. He had no fear.”
Chris told how, after meeting his “beloved Tara”, Kyle returned to Raglan where the couple had three sons – Sunny, Cruz and Sage. The proud Dad was busy most recently taking his sons to rugby, soccer and motocross. He taught them to fish and instilled in them his love of gardening.
To say Kyle liked to have fun was something of an understatement, Chris said. “He worked hard, played hard and lived life to the fullest.” Father and son – only 20 years apart – also enjoyed an “amazing” business partnership, with Chris conducting auctions for Kyle and LJ Hooker.
Chris spoke poignantly too of Kyle’s kindness, generosity and sincerity, adding: “He was the treasured son, soulmate and brother I never had.”
Local kaumatua Sean Ellison told of his profound sadness at the loss of Kyle, who he said was “taken far too young, far too soon”. He added he had deep respect for Kyle in his work and in his altruistic efforts in the community, where he often organised sponsorship for various projects and clubs around town.
Kyle had left his mark on the Raglan community, he said, and “we can follow his example by living life fully”.
“Today is a gift and a blessing,” he reminded the service.
Those at the celebration of Kyle’s life heard how a hikoi, or tiki tour as Chris put it, was organised around Raglan the previous weekend. It was Kyle’s final farewell to some of his favourite spots which included the golf club and Manu Bay, and was met with a “tremendous reception”.
LJ Hooker principals Greig and Tash Metcalfe spoke of Kyle’s work selling real estate the past 15 years. “For us he was such a star,” Greig said.
Kyle won many professional accolades and had a shelf full of awards back in their Bow St office, which was turned into something of a shrine once news of his sudden death was known.
Old friends also remembered Kyle as supportive, a man of integrity, as solid as a rock and a Raglan boy at heart.
“He made friends wherever he went and touched many hearts,” said one.
Kyle was a bit of a likeable rogue, added another. “I thought I’d be speaking at his 50th, not his funeral.”
