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Old 03-02-2020, 10:48 PM   #1
campione
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Passing of a legend: Dix Roper

It is with great sadness that I have to report the passing of a legend of the tribe, my friend and neighbor Dix Roper. Dix lived an amazing life dedicated to spearfishing. He started diving in California, and then was able to move to Baja in the 90s. When things got tougher in Baja he moved to Panama, and enjoyed the tropical Eastern Pacific.
His energy levels and enthusiasm were astonishing for someone his age. He truly lived life to the fullest. I first met him at the FreediveList Millennium party.
Last year he successfully underwent radiation and chemo. But this year the cancer was back with a vengeance and no hope. Thus, he decided to have a dignified exit. He passed away surrounded by his family in his west LA home, with a smile on his face.
I managed to spend some quality time with Dix and Michelle last week, and talk fish stories from the past. His cool demeanor and humor were almost unreal. But he knew this chapter was over and had no regrets.
RIP my brother. We will miss you.

Stathis
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Old 03-03-2020, 12:04 AM   #2
divenfish
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Re: Passing of a legend: Dix Roper

Thank you Stathis for posting. Dix was indeed a legend and he exited like one.
I met him and Ana at the freeedivelist gathering at Robin's house as well, and followed his amazing stories from Baja/Cedros and later from Panama. Loved his pictures, "One picture it's worth a thousand words" it is an understatement.
Swim silent with the wahoo in the sky....RIP Dix Roper !!
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Old 03-03-2020, 12:11 AM   #3
popgun pete
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Re: Passing of a legend: Dix Roper

This also needs to go in the Memorials and Condolences section. I remember Dix and his first wife Ana who often contributed to "International Spearfishing and Freediving News". Some years later he married Michelle and kept on contributing for many years almost until that publication ceased. One enduring memory was of Dix posing for a photo with a large fish eyeball stuffed in his mouth in a “here's looking at you pal” shot. Somehow that photo conjures up every time I think of him. I remember his brother also had a go at spearfishing and from memory he was older than Dix who was no youngster himself at the time. Certainly he and his partners bagged lots of big fish as they chased his spearfishing dream.

My sincere condolences to his family, friends and spearfishing associates.

Last edited by popgun pete; 03-04-2020 at 04:15 PM. Reason: Ana, not Anna
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Old 03-03-2020, 12:29 PM   #4
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Re: Passing of a legend: Dix Roper

The guy knew how to live. Rest in peace. Let's all go out and live life today. Best, Mike L.
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Old 03-03-2020, 05:44 PM   #5
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Re: Passing of a legend: Dix Roper

Dix knew how to write up great spearfishing reports that were always enertaining and made you feel like you were there. They will be missed.
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Old 03-03-2020, 06:28 PM   #6
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Re: Passing of a legend: Dix Roper

Sorry to hear of his passing. Really makes me remember those good ole days of the freedivelist. He wrote the BEST stories! Every man was jealous reading about his adventures. I just looked at his old stories and they are just as good now as before.
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Old 03-03-2020, 11:22 PM   #7
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Re: Passing of a legend: Dix Roper

I always hoped he would write a book one day about his adventures and mis-adventures..he was just ahead of the policia more than once during his illustrious career...
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Old 03-04-2020, 09:22 AM   #8
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Re: Passing of a legend: Dix Roper

When I think of him I think of Cedros and huge yellows. Sounds like he had a full life. Hats off to the guy.
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Old 03-04-2020, 11:33 AM   #9
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Re: Passing of a legend: Dix Roper

plus, the only guy to regularly post topless photos of his spearing wife. RIP
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Old 03-04-2020, 07:29 PM   #10
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Re: Passing of a legend: Dix Roper

Legend. Rest in peace.
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Old 03-04-2020, 09:20 PM   #11
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Re: Passing of a legend: Dix Roper

RIP Mr. Roper
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Old 03-06-2020, 06:24 PM   #12
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Re: Passing of a legend: Dix Roper

I too remember him, his stories, his pictures and his love for life and the ocean, from the beginning of the freedivelist. He contributed a lot to the sport , But most of all, his stories made us all dream about living life at the fullest as he did. And he faced the end of it too, on his own terms.
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Old 03-06-2020, 09:37 PM   #13
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Re: Passing of a legend: Dix Roper

Dix was one of a kind spearo.
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Old 03-17-2020, 09:38 PM   #14
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Re: Passing of a legend: Dix Roper

I read many of the stories he posted via the ol' FreeDiveList.

He and Ana were true Adventurers!

Sorry to read of his passing. Legendary, indeed.

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Old 04-23-2020, 12:12 PM   #15
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Re: Passing of a legend: Dix Roper

I spent a week with him at his place on Cedros island back in 2002 (?), shortly before he moved to Panama. He sure knew how to get the most out of life. We threw Molotov cocktails into the arroyo by his house (his idea), swam with an elephant seal, got into a school of yellowtail pressing bait fish against the shore, and shot a 90 lb grouper. For me it was the trip of a life time; for him it was just another week.
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