Conservationist Wearne dies in his sleep

NAMIBIAN conservationist Keith Wearne (82) passed away in his sleep on Friday.

Wearne was the chairman of the Coastal Environmental Trust of Namibia (CETN), a non-governmental organisation aimed at promoting sustainable development, the conservation of the fragile coastal wetlands and desert environment, as well as the promotion of environmental education, awareness and understanding. CETN was established in 1996 and is based in Walvis Bay.Wearne has always been an active force in conservation, especially involved with the birds and wetlands along Namibia’s coastline.His widow, Gail Wearne, told The Namibian that he recently suffered a mild heart attack, and she believed that it might have been a heart attack that took his life.”He passed away very peacefully,” she said.”He was still fine the previous evening.”She said their sons, Jeremy and Simon, had arrived from Hong Kong and England respectively yesterday, and that a memorial service will be arranged.”He was a remarkable man that called a spade a spade.He had many admirers – either who loved him, or hated him,” she said.”He will be deeply missed by all of us.”Gail and Keith Wearne were married for about 40 years.CETN was established in 1996 and is based in Walvis Bay.Wearne has always been an active force in conservation, especially involved with the birds and wetlands along Namibia’s coastline.His widow, Gail Wearne, told The Namibian that he recently suffered a mild heart attack, and she believed that it might have been a heart attack that took his life.”He passed away very peacefully,” she said.”He was still fine the previous evening.”She said their sons, Jeremy and Simon, had arrived from Hong Kong and England respectively yesterday, and that a memorial service will be arranged.”He was a remarkable man that called a spade a spade.He had many admirers – either who loved him, or hated him,” she said.”He will be deeply missed by all of us.”Gail and Keith Wearne were married for about 40 years.