Ivan AGNEW Obituary

To Jill and family, We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Ivan. On our visit he took such pride in showing us around and of course, to Happy Hour.

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Treasured memories of our family times together RIP Ivan x

When John Walker broke the 3:50 barrier for the mile in Sweden in 1975, the man who rushed over with a stop watch was his friend Ivan Agnew. Ivan left us a lifetime of good journalism and some outstanding books. I quickly came to like and respect him when we were both in Christchurch 1968-74, and he covered many of my races. His best book is "Kiwis Can Fly," with a classic account of fellow West Coaster, Dave McKenzie, and an insider narrative of touring Europe with Walker and Rod Dixon. In tribute to Ivan the on-the-spot writer, here are his own words at the epochal moment: "I find myself running across to him, shoving my stop watch before his face and slapping him on the back, just like any other track nut. He has been transported into a new dimension and doesn´t see what is before his eyes. He turns and asks: `How fast?´ `Under three minutes fifty!´ I shout. I don´t know the exact time, hadn´t stayed still long enough to register it properly. John Walker clasps his head and cries: `My God!´ For few seconds he rocks back and forth in ecstasy. Then he raises his arms to the crowd."

Dear Ivan
Remembering the happy days of our childhood.
Love from the Treacy girls.

Wonderful memories and cherished friendship dating back to the mid 60s and 70s regarding Athletics and Rugby. Rest in peace Ivan. Sherralyn and Roger Whatman

Ivan was an admired and dear friend who I worked with at the Greymouth Star so many years ago. Our careers took different paths in later decades but occasional catch ups were punctuated with yarns about being molded by life on the West Coast as children and young men. I send my condolences with Raewyn, my wife of 50 years. My first outing with her was at a dinner in her father's Greymouth pub - the Gilmer; A dinner organized by Russell Nelson and the Grey Star to celebrate Ivan's winning of a national sports writing award. Rest easy dear friend - John Crowley

Ivan you are a dearly loved cousin and friend and we will miss you so much. A wonderful, humorous storyteller, may you rest in peace. Love Claire, Jason, Andrea, Adam and Rose

Deepest sympathy to all family. Old school mate and friend. Ivan was an outstanding man and achieved a lot in life. RIP He will be missed. Bill Garth

RIP Ivan from an old West Coaster and sports Journalist