by MarkLives (@marklives) Social media, marketing and advertising industry stalwart, Walter Pike, died over the weekend. He had battled cancer for several years, as told on Medium and Facebook.
“My experience, the anticipation of my death is already different, already extraordinary,” wrote Pike in a piece titled “Death be not proud…” in 8 March 2017. “The longer time horizon gives me more time to think. The unexpected and dramatic shortening of life expectancy impacts hugely on the way I do. Shoes purchased today will never be worn out. The lifetime guarantee on a fly fishing rod no longer influences that purchase decision. The two year old thoroughbred in the string of racehorses I manage no longer forms part of my expectations, the visualization of one day leading her into the winner’s enclosure is just a blank screen.”
On 14 September 2017, he wrote “How to win at cancer”, also on Medium: “I can keep on until something is discovered or something works and if it doesn’t? Then fuck that, I’ve done stuff, some of it even good stuff. I’m over worrying, I’m not giving up, but now this cancer no longer has any power over me. I’ve already won.”
From farming to advertising (over his career, he worked at Ford, Nissan, Young & Rubicam, The White House, Specialised Exhibitions and the AAA School of Advertising, as well as running his own consultancy, PiKE), and then back to his beloved racehorses and polo ponies, he was an outspoken human rights advocate and social justice champion, never afraid to speak his mind and stand up for what is right.
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Tributes via email
For the very lovely and incredibly brave person that was — and will always be — Walter Pike. For me you will always be young Walter — the exuberant, irrepressible and very smart planner at The White House. May your soul rest in peace my friend. Lucky to have known you. Sincere condolences to your family and your army of friends.
Gary Leih
Tributes via Twitter
Rest In Peace Walter Pike
— Kris Magreezy (@kristenclague) November 25, 2018
The sad news that @walterpike passed away after battling with cancer. We will miss your words of advice and opinion on the social media channels #walterpike #rip
— andrebruton (@andrebruton) November 25, 2018
#RIPwalterpike @walterpike a stalwart in the comms environment.
— Bridget von Holdt (@bridgetpr) November 25, 2018
.@walterpike was a massive influence and mentor at my time at AAA and responsible for sparking my passion for digital marketing. Rest In Peace friend #RIPWalterPike
— Brad Seaton-Smith (@BradSeatonSmith) November 25, 2018
Death be not proud… by @walterpike https://t.co/Lryo2N6Zhh
Thank you4Your fearlessHonesty &courage. May yourNewJourneyBeOneOf LimitlessReward…— Zoe Blucat Clifford (@ZoeBlucat) November 25, 2018
I walked against the wind this morning, and kicked up a bunch of red dust in his honour.
— The Other Sarah Marshall (@cathjenkin) November 25, 2018
A great tree has fallen. #RIP @WalterPike.
"When I finally do go I would like to go that way. To die with dignity, with a sparkle in my eye and because I chose that day as my last. "https://t.co/J1kXuKRjCx— DIGNITY SA (@DignitySAfrica) November 25, 2018
.@walterpike and I spoke so often at the same events that people often thought we were father and daughter. I used to call him ‘Pops’. RIP, Walter. You made the world better.
— Tiffany Markman (@tiffanymarkman) November 25, 2018
Incredibly sad this morning. Rest In Peace Walter Pike pic.twitter.com/Dh93V2pH5D
— Flo Letoaba (@floletoaba) November 25, 2018
RIP Walter Pike, who introduced #Thekid to his horses, and let me and my mom ride them too. He was always generous. pic.twitter.com/k4ER5YJzXV
— Sarah Britten Pillay (@Anatinus) November 25, 2018
Rest well @walterpike
— Mich Atagana (@MichAtagana) November 25, 2018
R.I.P. @walterpike. You were a hero to so many of us, and taught us so much about white privilege. We still had so much to learn from you. #FuckCancer
— It's me, Heather (@ItsmeHeather62) November 24, 2018
May your soul rest in peace Walter Pike.
Hope there are many ponies for you to love in the after life.
The pain is now over.— Conrad (@DBNBOYGP) November 24, 2018
Thanks for being a shining example of integrity, compassion, and intellectual rigour, Walter Pike. You battled cancer to its limits, and your own. I wish your family peace.
— Roy Blumenthal (@RoyBlumenthal) November 24, 2018
He truly was all of that. I remember him taking my call mid-morning one day when I needed to understand whether I had correctly assessed a powerful lawyer colleague's treatment as racist. And I am a brownie, to boot. I miss him already. RIP Walter Pike.
— Candice Collins-Moollan (@CANZ_ZA) November 24, 2018
Tributes via Facebook
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