Vet dies at 65

The vet, who died at his Rynfield home, was born in Boksburg on April 11, 1948.

He attended to CBC Boksburg from Standard Three (Grade Five) to matric.

According to his wife, Cynthia, in his matric year, in 1965, Errol was one of 16 boys who received honours blazers for all-round achievements in study and sport. He also received this blazer in Standard Nine (Grade 11).

He was a cadet officer, a prefect, played for the first rugby team in Standard Nine (Grade 11) and 10 (Grade 12), was captain of the school’s athletics team and a member of the swimming teams.

He also excelled in running and competed in long jump and shot put.

He was in the first rugby team which was one of the most successful teams in the history of the college.

Cynthia said Errol’s coach said he was a left wing with “a classic run and a glorious swerve”.

Towards the end of school he started playing the guitar, leaning towards classical music.

After completing school, Errol worked at Barclays Bank for 10 months, hated it and went on to study veterinary science.

He graduated from Onderstepoort (Pretoria) at the end of 1971 and his first job was as a state vet in South West Africa (Namibia), in Keetmanshoop.

He then worked at the Benoni Veterinary Hospital and later bought the Crystal Park Veterinary Hospital, where Cynthia was in charge of reception and the financial side.

Errol had to sell his practice after having his kidney removed, after owning it for 12 years.

“Errol was passionate about his veterinary work, and certainly strove to give the clients’ animals the very best treatment,” said Cynthia.

“He often said his job was not an exact science, and I think this bothered him.

“I guess his concern stemmed from his attention to detail and meticulousness.

“He loved the outdoors and getting into the bush when possible, which was not that often due to work.”

Errol also enjoyed bird watching, observing different trees and grasses, and viewing animals in the wild.

Cynthia said he will be missed for his caring and loving ways, great sense of humour, calm and modest manner and as a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Errol leaves behind Cynthia, daughter Marilyn Cilliers, son Paul Chivers, stepchildren Keith MacKenzie, Cathy Hediger and Caryl Greyling, four step-grandchildren and five grandchildren, brother Peter Chivers and sister Denise Stoppel.

The memorial service was held at the Holy Trinity Church, Northmead, on January 11.