His funeral was held at the Ashburton Club and MSA on Friday.
Hundreds of comments have been posted to the Peter Lynn Kites Facebook page following the notice of Peter’s passing.
Nigel Gamble, of the South Canterbury Traction Engine and Transport Museum, shared a social media post to the group’s page saying Peter was one of the “true characters within the heritage machinery movement here in New Zealand”.
‘‘Peter was widely known for his collection of very rare stationary engines, including a vast collection of Stirling cycle engines. Stirling cycle engines were of great interest to Peter.
‘‘Peter dedicated much of his life to building and improving such engines, many of which would arrive at events attached to many crazy inventions Peter had created in his workshop, such as his rocking chair, mobility scooter and in his little boat.
“Peter lived almost a double life.
‘‘To us here in New Zealand, he was an engine collector, inventor and friend; to the rest of the world, Peter was a celebrity, achieving worldwide acclaim with his kites, displaying his famous flying inventions all around the planet with his late wife, Elwyn and team from Peter Lynn Kites.’’
Peter was a kite trailblazer who founded Peter Lynn Kites in 1973.
It is internationally renowned for its super-sized, spectacular kites.
Other tributes from the kite community say Peter was ‘‘not only a pioneer of large-scale kites, but also a creator who brought healing to the world.
‘‘His kites carried more than innovation and craftsmanship - they carried a gentle power that transcended language and borders, touching and comforting countless people across different countries.’’
Another posted, ‘‘What an adventure he added to my life, a character and kite Genius. No telling what he’s doing in the sky now.’’
‘‘The auto-zenith features of his arc kites were beyond genius yet such a simple design that made kite surfing pleasurable without the need to feel like you're battling the elements and the kite itself.
‘‘What a brilliant man. I will cherish my collection and I hope a young person one day will appreciate them beyond my years. RIP Peter and thank you for your beautiful inventions, ideas and passion with kites.’’
Peter designed the PLT Box Kite in the late 1970s.
It is one of many historic pieces of aviation history owned by Peter, to go on display at the Ashburton Aviation Museum.
In 2023, the business celebrated its 50th anniversary.
At the time, Peter said he and wife Elwyn were ‘‘quite overwhelmed’’ by how many attended, sent best wishes or joined in by Zoom from around the world.
More than 70 people, including at least eight from overseas, were at a Saturday night jubilee celebration. However, a kiteflying part of the weekend was cut short earlier in the day when a storm rolled in.
‘‘The Saturday kitefly at Lake Hood was excellent until the thunder and lightning,’’ Peter told The Ashburton Courier.
‘‘Thinking of Ben Franklin we did fly two kites right through it though, while we stayed safe in cars.’’
Benjamin Franklin was a founding father of the United States, who flew a kite in a storm in 1752, leading to the invention of the lightning rod and the understanding of positive and negative charges.
Today, the business is owned by Simon and Lyndall Chisnall and Craig and Debbie Hansen. At the 50th celebration Peter paid tribute to them and many others, not least of all his wife.
He said Elwyn had been supportive of his kitemaking obsession, but along with other family members, sceptical it could ever finance a growing family.
‘‘A view I largely agreed with, while remaining obsessed, still am,’’ he said.
‘‘A plus was that kitemaking (fabric and sewing) was something we could do together to an extent.’’
