How would you define a "class act" and do you have any exciting or inspirational examples?

I’m almost certain about 30 years ago, I read a Reader’s Digest article about “class acts” and one of the examples mentioned was about this British fellow who explored the Arctic as member of a team but tragically they all perished in the end. Supposedly, someone was able to write down how each of them expired. There were those who panicked and went wild before breathing their last inside their shared tent.

Now this gentleman, knowing he would die in a few minutes, stood up, straightened his clothes, tipped his hat on his remaining friends and just before he walked out of the tent, was asked where could he be going?

He said something like, “Well, I really think this is a perfect time for a good walk. Please, don’t bother to wait up for I shan’t be long.”