Death of pioneering PNG patrol officer Jack Karukuru
03 January 2013
ALLAN TARUA
ONE OF THE FIRST Papua New Guinean patrol officers, Assistant District Commissioners then departmental head, Jack Karukuru, passed away on New Year’s eve at around 6.30-7.00pm.
I admired him for what he did for this country and, even after he finished from the government system and the private sector, he was still very much involved with the community in Port Moresby and at his Miaru village in the Gulf Province.
Jack Karukuru was a humble man who had a big heart for this nation.
He got along well with everyone, from the little children to adults.
Papua New Guinea has lost a great man.
Allan Tarua is the Fuel Systems Project Coordinator with InterOil Corporation’s downstream operations
Additional notes by Keith Jackson - Jack was aged about 72. In addition to the posts mentioned by Allan, he also served as Deputy Secretary of the Prime Minister's Department, as District Commissioner for the then Northern District and as Deputy District Commissioner in Bougainville where, during the crisis, he was responsible for monitoring the issue prior to the development of the Bougainville task force. Jack’s secondary school education was in Australia and in 1970 he received a Diploma in Public Administration from the Administrative College in PNG
I was privileged to have had a conversation where my late uncle Jack informed me about his days as a Kiap. This astounded me beacause I only knew him as uncle.
I admired him because he spoke really good English as I recall growing up in Mirigini Avenue, Boroko. I now reside in Canberra Australia.
I still vividly remember that conversation, how he articulated and painted a picture of that bygone era with his words. It would have been a pleasure and an inspiration to have been taught by this wonderful man.
Rest In Peace uncle, you are sorely missed.
Posted by: Paul Miro | 25 January 2013 at 03:16 PM
I was one of the lucky '67's. Jack was such a good teacher I wish I had listened harder, I am sorry that he has gone.
Bruce Dunn was pretty inspirational as well. In fact I still remember the training with great fondness.
Posted by: Glenn Henke | 21 January 2013 at 11:01 AM
Yvonne posted the following elsewhere on the blog.
"Hi, my name is Yvonne Rawali, and I am Jack Koavea Karukuru's niece.
I am sad to notify you of my late uncle Jack's death, he passed away on the 31.12.2012 at 7pm at his home at Tokarara, Port Moresby.
We are currently making arrangments to move his body to his home Miaru, Gulf Province, by this Friday the 11.01.13. Thank you."
Please pass on the condolences of all the old kiaps who knew Jack Yvonne.
Posted by: Phil Fitzpatrick | 09 January 2013 at 02:35 PM
Those cadets on the 1967 courses will also remember Jack Baker. Jack was in charge of the training at Kwikila.
Jack passed away on 29 December 2012.
He was a character in his own right. Hopefully someone who knew him well will provide some details of his extraordinary career as a kiap.
Posted by: Phil Fitzpatrick | 06 January 2013 at 10:33 AM
Jack was probably one of the most thought provoking trainers I ever met and would have been one of the best known field officers in TPNG - everybody knew him! His knowledge, humanity and capacity to have a good time were astounding.
Vale Jack
Posted by: Terry Kelliher | 05 January 2013 at 08:38 AM
I knew Jack well having taught him to drive on the airstrip at Finschhafen in an old Austin truck with a three-speed crash gear box. Joe Nombri and Jerry Kasip were also pupils.
I met Jack years later in Hobart and he said that being able to drive was invaluable when he received field posting.
We had many good times together and I considered him a friend.
Posted by: Dick Roberts | 04 January 2013 at 08:43 PM
Those cadet patrol officers on the two 1967 intakes should remember Jack from Kwikila where we went for in-country training before being posted to the various districts.
Along with Roland Kekedo and, later, Joe Nombri and others Jack imparted much wisdom that did us well for the rest of our kiaping days.
A truly great man who will be sadly missed.
Posted by: Phil Fitzpatrick | 03 January 2013 at 08:43 PM