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Popular Doc celebrates 90th birthday

Elphin Lodge resident shares his story of almost nine decades.

Dr Des Sonnenfeld, a well-loved resident from Elphin Lodge, will turn 90 on October 14.

He will celebrate his birthday at the Elphin Lodge Hall.

With a wealth of experiences on which to draw, Dr Sonnenfeld has an interesting story to tell.

Born in Johannesburg, Dr Sonnenfeld attended the Ridge Preparatory School and then Hilton College, before starting his medical studies at Wits.

“I wanted to sign up for the navy, but my mother would not let me until I turned 18,” said Dr Sonnenfeld.

Thereafter, he completed one year of studying before embarking on a two-year stint in the navy.

When he returned to Wits, he received the opportunity to complete his qualification at the renowned Guy’s Training Hospital in London, where he was fortunate to be exposed to the legendary Russell Claude Brock, who later became Lord Brock of Wimbledon, and was one of the greatest pioneers of cardiac surgery.

When he was back in South Africa, Dr Sonnenfeld worked as a mine doctor for years before going into private practice. He first worked in Nigel on the East Rand, but his career followed varied paths that saw him setting up his own practice, working with other practitioners and being a medical adviser to international German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim.

He speaks with pride of his late wife, Ms Rianette Sonnenfeld, who was the youngest sister to be appointed at the Johannesburg General Hospital, now called the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. In a marriage of 61 years, the couple had one daughter, Ms Penny Sonnenfeld.

Dr Sonnenfeld is the proud grandfather of two boys, both of whom are studying at Tukkies.

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