Lance BEATH Obituary

Your source pretty good, thanks. Rip

We have lost a very special person with the death of Lance. I met him as one of his (mature) students on the very first MSS program he ran in the early 2000s. The breadth and depth of his knowledge across an incredible range of subjects, the clarity of his thinking and his keen dry sense of humour made learning an absolute pleasure.

I was also very fortunate to share a hobby with Lance which resulted in many enjoyable hours usually discussing the issues of the world rather than the vagaries of the hobby. When we met it was always over either a very strong coffee and scone with jam and cream or a subtle red and a glass or two of port.

My apologies and condolences to his family as I'm unable to get to Wellington for his service.

You will be missed.

I am very saddened by the death of a great colleague and friend. Lance and I had known each other for almost thirty years. Lance always impressed me with his intellectual depth, strategic vision and personal warmth. He was full of new ideas and projects. Lance's last major work was the new professional journal for the Navy. He easily charmed me into writing a piece for the journal which I am now dedicating to him. My deepest condolences to Lance's family.

Vale Lance. He was a true professional and good company, with a self deprecating sense of humour. So sad at this news. Adrienne Jackson, Sydney.

Lance spent a number of years as a diplomat before widening his horizons to work in the area of strategic studies and defence issues.He was a talented and committed officer and a respected and much loved colleague, ably representing New Zealand in a number of overseas capitals. He also served in a range of divisions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Head Office.

He will be missed by all his colleagues, not least for his versatility, his enterprising approach to the issues that came his way and his highly developed sense of teamwork.
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I am unable to attend the funeral and pay respects to Lance in person. My apologies and condolences to the family. After working alongside Lance at MFAT , I had lots of contact when he was at MOD and we saw each other at conferences after we were both retired. We met up quite recently over the new RNZN magazine which he was producing. Lance was always companionable , engaging and lively to work with. I respected his knowledge and intellect : he was genuinely open- minded but also clear about his beliefs. I will miss his company and his ideas.

Lance's death is mourned on both sides of the Tasman. His contribution to the NZ-Australia defence relationship is ongoing. His brainpower and modesty combined to bring equality to the relationship, disparity of size notwithstanding. A man of great curiosity and a remarkable ability to set out complex things simply, he was adept in using whimsy, with just the right amount of irony, to keep his interlocutors focused. A true friend. Excelsior!

Very sorry to hear of Lance's untimely death. May he rest in peace.

Hon. Max Bradford