By — News Desk News Desk Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/north-face-co-founder-douglas-tompkins-dies-while-kayaking-in-chile Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter North Face co-founder Douglas Tompkins dies while kayaking in Chile Nation Dec 9, 2015 10:58 AM EDT American millionaire businessman and conservationist Douglas Tompkins died Tuesday from severe hypothermia after his kayak capsized in a lake in southern Chile. He was boating with five others on General Carrerra Lake in the Patagonia region, where he worked for years to acquire land for preservation. He was brought by helicopter, not breathing, to a hospital in the town of Coyhaique, and doctors were unable to revive him. Special correspondent Mike Cerre reports from Patagonia on Tompkins’ conservation and eco-tourism efforts. Tompkins, 72, co-founder of clothing companies North Face and Esprit, retired in 1989 and dedicated his life to conservation and environmentalism. He bought tens of thousands of acres of wild land in Patagonia, spanning southern Chile and Argentina. He created Pumalin Park, an area of Chile with forests, lakes and fjords, in 2005. “For the environmental movement, not just in Chile but internationally, (Tompkins’ death) is a huge loss,” said long-time friend Sara Larrain, quoted the Associated Press. Follow @NewsHourWorld We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — News Desk News Desk
American millionaire businessman and conservationist Douglas Tompkins died Tuesday from severe hypothermia after his kayak capsized in a lake in southern Chile. He was boating with five others on General Carrerra Lake in the Patagonia region, where he worked for years to acquire land for preservation. He was brought by helicopter, not breathing, to a hospital in the town of Coyhaique, and doctors were unable to revive him. Special correspondent Mike Cerre reports from Patagonia on Tompkins’ conservation and eco-tourism efforts. Tompkins, 72, co-founder of clothing companies North Face and Esprit, retired in 1989 and dedicated his life to conservation and environmentalism. He bought tens of thousands of acres of wild land in Patagonia, spanning southern Chile and Argentina. He created Pumalin Park, an area of Chile with forests, lakes and fjords, in 2005. “For the environmental movement, not just in Chile but internationally, (Tompkins’ death) is a huge loss,” said long-time friend Sara Larrain, quoted the Associated Press. Follow @NewsHourWorld We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now