Fire claims diabetes research pioneer 

Source: ONE NewsSir Don Beaven

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Police will investigate the fire that has claimed the life of one of the leading medical men in New Zealand.
 
But it appears Sir Don Beaven was just overcome by smoke battling a fire at his bach on Banks Peninsula.
 
The 85-year-old was a world-renowned pioneer of diabetes research but it isn't just medicine he will be remembered for.

Investigators have been picking through the charred remains of the house in Little Akaloa,  trying to figure out how the fire claimed a life.

Akaroa chief fire officer Kim Stewart says the hillside property was well alight when crews arrived.

A burnt and charred garden hose was still running when the Fire Service arrived and it has led them to believe Sir Don went inside to fight the fire.

Initial post mortem results from the coroner indicate he likely died of smoke inhalation.

One of the grandfathers of New Zealand medicine will be remembered for his work in diabetes treatment and prevention.

Chris Baty of Diabetes New Zealand says Sir Don was a leader in the field.

"He led the world, certainly led New Zealand in developing education classes for people with diabetes so they could better take care of themselves."

Among his many honours, he was knighted earlier this year for services to persons with diabetes, and immortalised in bronze as one of 12 local heroes of Canterbury.

He was a tireless promoter of healthy living and was the foundation professor of the Christchurch School of Medicine.

"Don was also the father of medical research and was a stimulus to many of our brightest staff to undertake research in Christchurch. And Don was the enthusiasm that got lots of other people going," says Professor Peter Joyce of the Christchurch School of Medicine.

Sir Don's other passion was wine, setting up, together with friends like Ivan Donaldson, Canterbury's first vineyard.

"There is a lot of people that wouldn't be in the wine industry today here, not only in Canterbury but also in the South Island, if it hadn't been for his enthusiasm and encouragement and input," says Donaldson.

Baty says it's an enormous loss.

"And since I've heard about his death I've been trying to think about how we go about filling the void he'll leave."

For those close to him, that void seems impossibly big to fill.