THE Monto community is mourning to loss of one of its most respected and loved people.
80-year-old grazier Ian Louttit died shifting cattle away from floodwaters on his property, Lagoona Station, at Glenleigh near Monto on Friday.
Mr Louttit’s body was found Saturday morning after the RACQ CareFlight Bundaberg helicopter earlier found the man's dead horse in floodwaters about a kilometre from the homestead.
Police, SES volunteers and neighbours began their search on Friday when Mr Louttit was reported missing that evening. The search continued until about 3am, resuming at 5am. The helicopter started its search at daybreak on Saturday.
The flooding follows falls up to 250mm of rain across the district in the past fortnight.
A statement issued by the family said Mr Louttit had lived in Monto for 79 of his 80 years of life (being born in Gympie). The family moved to Monto district in 1936 to take up a cream run. Family legend has it that his father owned the first diesel truck in the district.
After surviving a serious horse accident at 13 when he was in a coma for 17 days, his plans to study veterinary science were curtailed.
By this time his family were dairy farmers, winning numerous ribbons for stud dairy cattle at local and RNA shows.
At age 17 with sister Jan,he purchased his own irrigated dairy property, only ceasing dairying in 1971 when the industry moved to bulk milk. Changing to predominately beef was a chance to exercise his husbandry skills and after buying his brother-in-law's Brahman stud he developed a reputation for good blood-lines, selling many herd bulls to locally.
Mr Louttit was a very active member of the community and involved in many organisations from P&C to the show society. In 1995 the Rural Fire Service recognised his 20 years of service as warden/first officer with a certificate of appreciation, with many years service to follow.
With little scientific exposure, Mr Louttit farmed with innate scientific understanding, using empirical observation and systematic record keeping as a basis for decisions. His primary tools were stock whip and saddle and as a small scale grazier his life is a testimony to natural farming techniques. His gregarious personality and hail-fellow-well-met attitude acted as a lubricant in the local community.
He was a lover of humanity. He had the health and fitness of a 65 year old. Happily married to May for 53 years, with two children and four grandchildren.
Even though his family will grieve his unexpected passing they are also grateful that he died doing what he loved with his 'boots on' and riding his faithful horse.
Funeral arrangement are still be confirmed.
