Vale Tom Kruse

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

A true Aussie Icon, sad to hear of his passing.
Rich.

[warren brown]

Truly saddened. I never met him, but I always felt I knew him vicariously through film and interviews I've read. I met a bloke once, at the pub at William Creek, who knew him well - and that was about as close as I got. Good on you Keith and everyone who really did know him. Sad night tonight.

[hrpearce]

Another pioneer has passed Tom will live on in film, not many left with his ability to get there no matter what.

[Little Jo]

Sorry to hear of the passing of another great Australian Icon. A true trail blazer. I saw his truck displayed in the Birdwood Auto Museum a few years back, but I am not sure if is still there on display. Having done the Birdsville Track in a modern 4x4 one can only wonder how difficult it would have been so many years ago.

Tony

[Cameron Reed]

Sad to hear of the passing of a true pioneering gentlemen. I just shake my head at some of the things that he did to get his job done, particularly like the one about fashioning a clutch plate out of the lid of a 44 gallon drum. RIP

[Howard]

Indeed a sad day for our fair nation.
Tom was one of our last true pioneers. The outback, and indeed all of Australia, owes him a true debt of gratitude.
It was men like Tom that made living in remote Australia possibe. They worked increadibly hard in one of the harshest environments on earth.
Men like Tom Kruse, Tom Cole and others were true heros.
I fear that the majority of "modern" Australians will not know of Tom, but, those of us who do know of him, will always remember and admire his incredible story.
Farewell, Tom.

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi all - I was fortunate enough to meet Tom and Valma several times and was enthralled by their stories. Combining meeting Tom and another great Australian pioneer, Kurt Johannsen of Northern Territory fame, I feel particularly fortunate to have rubbed shoulders with two of Australia's greatest pioneers.

Bob

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by warren brown

Truly saddened. I never met him, but I always felt I knew him vicariously through film and interviews I've read. I met a bloke once, at the pub at William Creek, who knew him well - and that was about as close as I got. Good on you Keith and everyone who really did know him. Sad night tonight.

Warren,

When we were at the opening of the Road Transport Hall of Fame in 1995, we went to a Dinner there with all the outback transport pioneers, do you recollect if Tom was there?

[warren brown]

Richard, I don't really recall - but i don't think so. The Road Transport Hall of Fame has done such a great job in ensuring the outback transport pioneers have found their place in history, but I think in 1995 on the opening night, their wonderful work was only just taking off. Of course this was some time before the restoration of the Leyland Badger doco (Keith!) and the reinvigoration and rediscovery (for the great unwashed) of the original film... In 1995, except for those in the know, Tom and Kurt were almost forgotten - hats off to everyone who made sure that we remember them now in 2011... I'm going to talk to the Australian's obituary writer Graeme Leech tomorrow - keep a lookout...