Following the recent death of Edenvale Panthers chairperson Mr Victor de Klerk, his daughter Whitney spoke to the NEWS about her father and how she remembers him.
Vic died at the age of 63 from a bleeding ulcer.
She described him as a strong, positive man who would never give up.
“My father and I were very close. He was not only my father but my best friend. His passing was sudden,” said Whitney.
She said some of the favourite activities that her and her father used to do together included going to get a cup of coffee or a bite to eat together.
Whitney said she just enjoyed her father’s company.
“We could spend hours talking about now and the future,” said Whitney.
Although Whitney has a number of fond memories of her father, some of fondest of him include him teaching her how to drive and sharing her 21st birthday with him.
“There are so many memories of my father I’ll never forget and will hold close forever,” said Whitney.
According to Whitney, when Vic was not occupied with rugby he enjoyed going to the gym to help others train or just to train by himself,
“His favourite past-time was staying at home with his cockatoo and Yorkie puppy. Those animals were his life. He.took them everywhere with him, whether it was to the shop or to the field for a walk they were by his side,” said Whitney.
“He told me the two animals kept him going,” said Whitney.
She said Vic’s dream for the Panthers Rugby Club was to have four teams in the club and to continue with the winning streak which the Panthers had achieved this season.
When Vic was not on the field Whitney said he was still a coach.
Whitney said he would still worry about his players and worry about the next match.
“He really gave his life to the Edenvale Panthers,” said Whitney.
“My father loved all his children, when we needed him he was there. He was always there to protect us all. Even if we were wrong he always had our backs but made sure he told us when we did wrong and encouraged us to learn from our mistakes. He was, and still is, the best father anyone could have ever wanted,” said Whitney.
