Corbett Bishop

CORBETT BISHOP passed away unexpectedly in the early morning of May 1, 2009 at his home in Arusha, Tanzania. He was only 38 but lived a full and compelling life. Corbett was born March 19, 1971 in Austin, Texas to Rod and Cindy Bishop. His early years were greatly influenced by his grandparents, Martin and Jeanne Bludworth, and Dwight and Bernice Bishop. Martin and Jeanne particularly encouraged his sense of adventure, fun, and exploration and his love of nature. Dwight and Bernice instilled a sense of honor in Corbett which he lived by fiercely. Corbett attended Esperanza, West U Elementary, Pershing Middle School and Lamar High School. While a junior at Lamar, Corbett and his mother, Cindy, and stepfather, David Donnelly, traveled to East Africa, with the Louis and Barbara Sklar family and the Jim and Mary Henderson family. Corbett was enthralled with Africa, and returned the following summer on his own, where he learned to speak Swahili. Corbett's fluency in Swahili was such that he was frequently stopped on the street and complimented. While in high school, Corbett spent two summers in Latin America as a volunteer with Amigos de las Americas, where he added Spanish to his language skills. Corbett graduated from Colby College in 1992 and began a career as a climbing guide with Scott Fischer's Mountain Madness in Seattle. While working for Scott, Corbett became aware of an opening with Wes Crause's African Environments in Tanzania-- Wes was looking for an experienced climbing guide who could speak Swahili--a position for which Corbett was uniquely qualified. Corbett climbed Mount Kilimanjaro over 100 times before starting a new career as a safari guide. After several years of guiding for others, he started Corbett Bishop Safaris in 1996 and was running that business, showing many clients the wonders and the fun of Africa, until his death. Corbett loved the wildness of Africa, but this love was overshadowed by his devotion to his two loving and exceptional children, Luca, 8, and Ella, 6, who so loved their `Baba.' Corbett also founded and managed a nonprofit organization, the Ol Tukai Conservancy. To express his respect for the land, Corbett undertook, with characteristic verve and totality, a partnership with the residents of Ol Tukai Village, 70 miles west of Arusha, to stop the poaching of wild game between the Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks, and to provide a means by which the Ol Tukai villagers could educate their children with the learning tools and self respect essential for success. Many of Corbett's Maasai partners, upon hearing of his death, made the walk from Ol Tukai to Corbett's home in Arusha to honor his efforts and bid their good friend farewell. Corbett will be remembered as a striving conservationist, professional hunter, mountain guide, man of letters, soulful musician, birder, friend, son, loving father and forever, truth seeker. As family and friends gather to honor this remarkable man, our thoughts are with his children, Ella and Luca. He is survived by his mother Cindy Bishop Donnelly, stepfather David Donnelly, and father Rod Bishop; the mother of his children Camilla Pelizolli, his grandmothers Mary Lou Holbrook and Bernice Bishop, uncle Billy Bludworth and wife Lori, uncle Dwight Bishop, aunt Laura Bishop, cousins Whitney Bludworth, Hunter Bludworth and Brenda Anderson and close friend Liza Barley. Around the world a multitude of friends stand stunned by the loss but determined to carry on all things important to Corbett. As proud a life as could be lived, as loving a legacy as any could wish. A memorial service will be held at the Cohen House, on the Rice University campus, at half past four on Monday, May 11. Following will be a reception at Treebeards on Market Square. Kelly and Michael Sklar and Jane Child have established a website, www.corbettbishop.net, for his friends and family to exchange memories. The family thanks you for this effort. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ol Tukai Conservancy, 6101 Charlotte, Houston TX 77005.