The family of missing Canberra man Stuart Heddle has described his disappearance as "enormously out of character" as the search for the 39-year-old reaches its third day.
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Mr Heddle left his Chisholm home on foot to go to water polo at Tuggeranong Aquatic Centre about 7.30am Saturday but never showed up. He has not been seen or heard from since.
Police have intensified their search around Tuggeranong and have appealed for the public's help.
Mr Heddle's sister-in-law, Libby Smith, said the family was struggling to come to grips with her brother-in-law's disappearance.
She described Mr Heddle as a family and community-orientated father who loved his wife, Jenny, and children Jordan, 15 and Aidan, 12.
The public servant has been heavily involved with the territory's water polo community the past 18 months, including as a Tuggeranong Vikings Water Polo coach.
"There is nothing to say why he's missing. It's enormously out of character – there is nothing to explain it," Ms Smith said.
"His children are tremendously important to him. He's the dad that's there all the time; he's the one on the P&C or board, he's the one helping on the excursion and at every school assembly."
Ms Smith said the family was still in the dark as to what lead to Mr Heddle's disappearance.
"We certainly haven't found anything," she said.
"There's nothing at home to suggest where he's gone and there's nothing we've been able to find to suggest what happened."
Mr Heddle and his wife had recently helped organise their son's grade 6 ceremony at Wanniassa Hills Primary, being held on Tuesday.
Mr Heddle was also planning a January camping trip with his two children.
"He wouldn't have missed it," Ms Smith said.
"I think one of the things the police have found very difficult is he's a very community, family-focused, popular person.
"It's just not what happens."
Mr Heddle's wife, Jenny, thanked the community for helping find her husband via a public Facebook post Tuesday evening.
"Thank you to everyone for their love and support in such a devastating time for our family," she wrote.
"To Stuart I love you and I know you must be trying so hard to get back to us."
Ms Smith said the family had been overwhelmed by an outpouring of support, with people helping search for Mr Heddle and handing out flyers.
"It's been fantastic - people want to do something," she said.
"There's been lots of people from the school community and sports community out looking for him - they've been out on bikes and out walking."
Ms Smith said the family hoped for good news soon.
"There's nothing worse than not knowing," Ms Smith said.
"It's one of those situations, when there's nothing to do it's very difficult.
"My sister just wants him to come home."
Anyone with information should phone police on 131 444.
