Family hit by double death

A father and son who were "two peas in a pod" have died of natural causes within 15 minutes of each other.

Richard Looman, 44, died of a massive heart attack in Te Awamutu at 3pm on Thursday while the family were waiting at the death bed of his father Lou Looman, 73.

Brother and son of the pair, Stephen Looman, said Richard had been struggling to deal with the impending death of his father.

"He didn't talk about it a lot. His coping mechanism was to go outside and do the jobs on the property dad didn't get around to finishing."

While the family was sitting inside near Lou's bed, a family member went outside and saw Richard lying on the grass.

They gave CPR for over half an hour, with ambulance services taking over when they arrived, but it was too late.

"We went back inside afterwards and were told dad was dead," said Stephen.

Lou was diagnosed with cancer in December and two weeks ago further scans revealed it was too late to treat.

"We were told it was going to be his last day every day for four days. We reckon he was waiting for Richard. At least they are both in heaven together now."

Richard had been diagnosed with a milder form of multiple sclerosis almost 10 years before, which is thought to have weakened his heart.

After he was diagnosed he stopped working full time at a nearby dairy factory and spent his time helping others out.

"He was a special brother, anything you wanted help with he would do it," said Stephen.

The deaths were also on the wedding anniversary of Lou and his wife, Merle, who was recently diagnosed with dementia.

In some ways it has made it easier for her, said Stephen:

"She is coping well. The dementia helps lessen the burden, even though she is well aware about what has happened."

Lou arrived from the Netherlands with his parents and eight siblings in 1953 and farmed for most of his life, said Stephen.

"He was a real family guy. He has never been too interested in material possessions and lived a simple life."

Stephen's other brother Greg and sister Christa have also survived their father and brother.

Lou's sister-law Heather Hill flew in from Australia the day before the deaths.

"They were both lovely people," she said. "Lou was quiet and loved his garden, especially his roses. Richard was unique, he would do anything for anybody."

The son and father will be buried alongside each other on Thursday.