RIP Tony Lusk

The Southern Arizona Climbing Community is a little bit poorer today.

The Ruins, the Outcroppings, the Boneyard, Ridgeline, Sky Valley, the Tomestone, the Outback, the Steep and probably thirty (30) other dark areas were all conceived by Tony Lusk. He put up over 400 routes.

Yesterday, (Sunday, October 3, 2010) he was out scouting for new crags with some friends.

He had a massive heart attack. He died with his boots on. He died in the arms of his friends.

In my mind, it was a good way to die, just way too soon.

RIP Tony. I will miss you. I will miss your laugh. For me, your spirit will live on in your routes.

Scott

What terrible news, I am simply stunned.
RIP Tony.

Thanks for all your hard work Tony.

Condolences to his loved ones.

RIP

Sweet Jesus, that's awful news. I was hoping the thread name was just some play on words or something when i saw it. Please post up details if there will be an 'open' service or collection, etc.

Thank you, Tony, for all your contributions to our community and shared pastime.

Best wishes and deepest sympathies to family and friends.

Very sad news. My thoughts are with the family and friends of Tony. I thought of him yesterday as I rested and waited my turn in the rotation at the Orifice. I heard a drill in the distance and I thought, who could that be? A few names popped into my head and Tony's was one of them. Now I know his drill is silenced forever. Thanks for all the great areas you left for us to climb Tony. You will be missed. I am stunned and reminded to live every day to the fullest. I think Tony did a pretty good job of getting the most out of life.

truly saddened and shocked, a real loss.

When I saw the ambulance racing up the mountain yesterday I was hoping it wasn't for a climber. Terrible news. His legacy of great routes speaks for itself. My thoughts go out to his family.

The climbing community just lost a great person. He will be missed.

Thanks for teaching Kent & I how to climb and for ALL the routes you put on Mt. Lemmon. Thanks for 20+ years of friendship. You were like a big brother to Kent. I'm happy you two (and Dennis) were together yesterday doing what you loved. I'm so grateful that Kent & I were able to tell you that we love you just a few weeks ago. RIP Tony. We will all miss you SO much!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you Pam, Will and Seth.

I only met Tony a handful of times but he was always seemed like a great person. I was very saddened to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers go out to Tony's loved ones.

Today is truly a sad day for me, and in the Southern Arizona climbing community. Having a very difficult time this morning with this news of a highly respected climber, a mentor to me and person who has devoted his life to his family, friends, and people he has shared his life with in the aspects of climbing. I can't think of the many pricelss fishing and climbing stories he has shared with me throughout the years. Always had respect for people,and would give you the shirt on his back if you needed it regarless of how he was feeling. I am VERY honored to have known this person. Tony you will be sorely missed. Much condolences to the Lusk family, I am sure they will remember him forever. I most certainly will. Tony thanks for taking the time out to venture new routes and climbing destinations that we could enjoy. I can't thank you enough.
Jason,

My condolences to his loved ones on such a day. What a fine example to live life fully. Rest easy Tony.

No! That's just awful. My condolences and absolute best wishes to Tony's family and friends.

Please do let us know if the community can do anything at all to help.

My condolences to his family. The climbing community has lost a great climber way too early. Thanks for all the hard work you put into the climbs for all of us. Now take a rest on that peaceful spring creek with a flyrod in hand and hope to get spooled by the big one.
RIP Tony

I think he was at Raycreation a couple of weeks ago but didn't get to meet him that day..It was a zoo and he was just leaving when I got there..

Had a sinking feeling when I saw the chopper waiting at San Pedro yesterday

Thanks for all the great routes

RIP Tony

Tony was an awesome guy. He put up some great routes. I think every time I saw him he was smiling. I will never forget his laugh. It was contagious.

RIP Tony.

A sad day, indeed. Tony's enthusiasm for exploration and adventure was truly inspiring. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones.

I had the extreme pleasure of developing 2 areas with Tony. His uncanny eye for climbing lines was amazing. He was my climbing mentor and one of the closest friends that I have ever had. Tony had a true love for the mountains. His razor sharp wit combined with his contagious laugh made each day a fun adventure. His loss has left me feeling very empty and deeply saddened. Tony was a climbers climber who made his final first ascent yesterday.

His unexcpected passing has left his wife, Pam to raise Will (12) and Seth (10). We have started a memorial to help out. Please open your hearts and wallets to

The Tony Lusk Memorial Fund
Southern Arizona Community Bank
Attn: John Lewis, President
6400 N. Oracle
Tucson, AZ 85704
(520) 219-5000

Thanks for all the routes and more importantly your friendship,
Tony Horness

I only met Tony once, very briefly along the Aspen Loop Trail. His sense of adventure, love for the mountains, and kind nature were very apparent. I was hoping for a chance to share a rope with him at some point. My sincerest condolences to his family and many friends.

I always enjoyed my encounters with Tony at the crags over the years. He was a good person. My condolences to family and friends.

I had the awesome privilege of climbing with Tony several times. We took to each other quickly. My friend, Tony Horness, introduced me to him. I am stunned by this news. It is mind numbing to say the least. I got the news yesterday and had a very hard time sleeping, waking up several times with Tony on my mind. May God Bless and comfort his family in their time of loss. RIP Tony!

I am going to try to set up a benefit for his family featuring some bands around Tucson including mine, WOUND2TIGHT. It is a good way to get his loved ones together in his honor. I will let the climbing community know once we get it planned.