We are so deeply grateful to everyone who helped search, and happy that Rob passed while doing what he loved. We are working on how best to honour his incredible work. If you would like to share your memories or messages with the public, please post them using the form below. We are working on a way to share photos as well.
For private messages to the family please click here
Rob Stewart accomplished so much in his life, but there’s still more to do. To honour Rob’s memory, the Stewart family is collecting donations in order to continue his conservation work. You can help by visiting robstewartsharkwaterfoundation.org. A tax receipt will be issued.
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Deeply saddened by the tremendous loss of a wonderful guy who opened up the world of sharks to me. I loved sharks before Robs documentaries but he brought out the true shark nature, not the one that the media portrays them to be. A wonderful man and amazing conservationist, we will all feel the loss but will fight on in his memory and his legacy. RIP in your beautiful peaceful water world Rob. Xx
Rob Stewart’s work on the documentary Sharkwater forever inspired my daughter and our family to learn more about the shark. In elementary school, she inspired her class by assigning a unique shark to every child (from memory) to do a report on. And she collected many signatures on a petition to stop shark finning and submitted to the Green Party leader – Elizabeth May. We even drove to Tacoma, WA to see the sharks that she, up until then, could only see on film and in books. What a tragic loss with Rob’s death and we all know that loss will not be in vain. We shall all work harder to learn more and make a difference in saving the shark in Rob’s memory.
The first time I ever saw my son (a little tough guy) cry tears of compassion was during Sharkwater. He was 9 at the time and I knew Rob had created something special when my boy turned to me and through his sniffles asked what we as a family could do to help. He has since grown to love the ocean and all its creatures. I wish Rob and the family peace, love and light.
A Tribute to Rob:
I have no bad memories of Rob. Meeting him for the first time was a dream come true, not only because he was my idol, but because he left me with a lasting impression. When you were in the presence of Rob you felt something. I still cannot, and probably never will, put into words what that feeling was. It was joy and excitement, positivity and passion. It was such a strong feeling that you hoped you would be able to feel it again. Every moment you had with him that feeling grew and then it started to grow just remembering those moments. And it will never stop growing even though he is gone.
I had the amazing opportunity to work with Rob during the filming of Revolution, the launch of United Conservationists, and the battle to make Toronto Fin Free. I will forever cherish every hour, minute, and second I spent with him, and without him. I used to joke with him that I had spent more time at his house without him than with him. But once you are with him, he was within you always.
So, let yourself be sad. Let yourself cry and think why this tragedy happened. But remember that he will always be within you. He will always be in your heart, mind and soul. Rob lived life to the fullest extent and never let up. He is more than his legacy, he was a simple person that did extraordinary things because he was passionate and determined to make a difference. And Rob, let me say this to you. You made a massive difference for our Earth, and you will continue to forever. But you also touched the lives of so many, and you live on in all of us. Thank you for living and never being anyone other than yourself. I will miss you forever and you will always be in my heart. The Earth needed to bring you home and the Earth is lucky to have you. I know that you will continue to light up the world because that’s just what happens when anyone or thing is in your presence.
I was about to say that I’ve never wept or felt such immense grief for the passing of someone I’ve never met before Rob. But I realise that that’s incorrect. I knew and had met Rob through his work. I knew him through an indomitable passion for the world. I knew him through a shared love of a creature that the world sees as the demon of the oceans. I knew him as a personal hero, and a role model who I will never forget.
And his spirit will live on in all of us whose lives were touched by His message and power of will.
For the planet, and for my personal legend. Your indomitable spirit will forever be a part of my life Rob.
Rest In Peace
Sharks have long held a fascination for me. I memorized info about different types of sharks when I was a kid and I’ve watched documentaries about “sleeping sharks” and Valerie Taylor and her shark repelling chain mail. However, there are two movies that deeply affected me. One terrified me and gave me nightmares for years and one made me realize that, while nature can be terrifying and cruel, it’s also very vulnerable and worth protecting. Thank you for that second movie and for allowing us a glimpse into that wonderful world lurking beneath the waves.
I’m so sad, I never met Rob but he was my fb friend and I felt I knew him. I wish I had the privilege of meeting him. He’s a hero of course and truly inspiring. I had no idea even though I am a diver myself, of what goes on until I watched Sharkwater and I try in my own small way to make a difference. I would love to watch Sharkwater 2 and his filming and what he was portraying until he died will have truly special meaning. I hope his team finish this in his memory somehow and it’s a lasting tribute to Robs dedication, I just wish he hadn’t given his life for the cause. . He speaks so eloquently and so powerfully, he will be so missed by the world I believe, he was a saviour and taken far too early.. So so tragic and I’m so sorry for his familiy’s and friend truly enormous loss RIP Rob and may your legacy live on large as life.. Much love x
His desire and enthusiasm has made him a hero for lots of divers and people around the globe. He has been a real inspiration for all followers of GIDOA.
Rob will be sadly missed by all of us but never forgotten.
Have a safe journey and rest in peace, Rob!
We are with you friends and family in our grief
Has sido y seras una inspiración y un ejemplo para todos! Mi alma esta rota…
Eras muy necesario en este planeta y para muchos de nosotros!
Llevaremos tu lucha alla donde vayamos!
Descansa ya en el gran azul con tus amados tiburones!
Hasta siempre Rob
What can I say.. Rob you were an inspiration, a man of integrity and a man made of kindness. I never imagined I could grieve so much for a person I have never met but you inspired me so deeply and created a fire inside of me.
The sharks have so much to thank you for, the ocean has so much to thank you for. A truely beautiful soul, it’s upsetting I’ll never get to meet you and give you a hug for all that you’ve done; maybe in the next life :).
Hope there’s a world full of sharks where you are now. Your spirit will live forever in all of us.
Lots of love and light xx
The first time I went to see Sharkwater, I thought it would be a pretty film about scuba diving. When the movie ended, I sat frozen in my seat, tears running down my face. As a scuba diver and a girl who had shark posters on her wall at the age of 7, I was left speechless by the film. I had never felt such a need to act, to participate, to make a difference to a cause before. Around that time, the city of Brantford (in Ontario not far from Rob’s home) became the first municipality in Canada to pass a shark fin ban. I wondered if I could do something similar in the city I lived in. I was so fortunate to meet Rob that summer, the memory will stay with me forever. He looked me right in the eyes, and said “you can do it”. Rob gave this woman who suffers from public speaking the confidence and courage to go in front of a full city council, to urge councillors to see the film and act. I know that this is one of hundreds of similar stories around the world-and thus is the legacy of Rob Stewart. He not only did, he taught. He was a remarkable human, one we may never see the likes of again. To all who loved him, my deepest condolences, there really are no words. I shall feel this loss for a long time to come. And to Rob, thank you for all you did, and all you taught us. You really did change the world. My next dive shall be for you, sir.
The first time I saw Sharkwater was for a class. I picked the title out of huge list of documentaries on a whim, and it changed me for the better. It changed my mind sharks and has allowed me to see something good in every species I’ve come across. The movie moved me to become passionate about, not only shark conservation, but environmental conservation in general.
Rob inspired me and became a role model. Through his work, how he encouraged others, and he how he accomplished he goals, he made me realize that I could also accomplish any goal I set out for myself.
I wish I could have gotten the chance to meet him and thank him for everything he’s done, but his work will continue to inspire me and give me hope.