I'm sad to say that one of Oranjemund's most exemplary personalities passed away after a brief illness in Johannesburg yesterday.
Brian was hospitalised with a brain hemorrhage 9 days ago and never regained consciousness. He was 83. He leaves his wife, Peggy, and four sons, Christopher, Mark, Gavin and Andrew.
Brian was Oranjemund's first full-time dentist. He was headhunted for the practice and came to Oranjemund in 1960 as a highly skilled dental and maxillo-facial surgeon. He was a richly layered personality who whole-heartedly served his patients, his community and in his later years - when he moved into ecological research - the world at large.
He established a dental service in Oranjemund of the highest order and carried out such advanced work that one of his cases was presented at an international medical conference as a world first.
As a community activist he was a prime mover in establishing the Oranjemund Mule Derby as a major charity fund-raiser. Indeed a man for all seasons, he was a great sportsman and an avid poet, publishing several booklets including poems on Oranjemund.
After leaving Oranjemund where he spent seven years he served several terms as Mayor of Grahamstown and went on to international fame as one of the first eco-activists in water conservation and the waste management field.
His work in this field attracted a swathe of awards including the very prestigious Gold Award for the best innovation and contribution to health care in Africa by the Organisation of African Unity, the Terra Nova award for Land, and the Intel Environment Award presented at the Tech Museum Awards held annually in Silicon Valley, California.
I had the pleasure of editing his recently published biography "Of Diamonds and Dentistry" in which he describes Oranjemund with gentle satire and humour that would surely delight anyone who reads it. Shining through is a sense of modesty, love of family and open acknowledgement of his own shortcomings that make it clear he was a richly layered personality. It brought home to me how privileged I was in having known such a great human being.
The world is indeed the poorer for his passing.
I was stunned to hear of Brian's passing, I was talking to him two weeks ago as Oranjemund Spar had bought 20 copies of his book. I knew he had been poorly, but he sounded strong.... there was so much I would like to have asked Brian about his Oranjemund days..... this man was indeed one of those pioneers and shall indeed be sorely missed.....
Makes one so sad to hear of another link to our town , our past , our parents .. our peers .. gone , missed but never forgotten ,
Sincere condolences from the Barron Family. My Mom has just finished reading his book, and thoroughly enjoyed it........
While on the subject of lost diamonds, it is with much sadness that I have been informed that Paddy Marx, one of the triumvirate of Oranjemund's fonts of knowledge (with My Mom and Nancy Stocken), passed away recently. Since the advent of Oranjemundonline these three golden grannies have reminisced about their "youth" and scratched their silver crowns when questions dating back to the 50's were posed in the numerous quizzes and articles. She will be missed..........
I remember the La Trobes well.....Christopher was in class with both Sandy and I at OPS and I echo Sandy's post couln't put it better. I know the Marx name but can't put a face to it. Condolences to both families.....more of our Diamonds in the Sky.
@Ricky,
A shock to hear abou Paddy who was also of my era. I knew the Marx family well, particularly Hugh. Sincere condolences to the family.
Thanks for the timely post.