He was born in Benoni in 1924 and chose to live in his hometown all his life.
He was a diligent and loyal employee of Benoni Engineering Works from 1940 to 1988, when he retired.
He married Sybil van Graan in 1955.
Fred was a member of the Rynfield NG Kerk for many years and served the church as an elder for some time.
He loved the outdoors; especially fishing and tennis and, together with Sybil, was a keen hiker and caravaner.
They both loved watching all sports disciplines on TV, with cricket and rugby among their firm favourites.
Fred was 80 when he won a road race at Eden Village, where the couple lived for almost three decades.
Sybil died in 2008.
“Fred was a gracious man whose life was marked by humility and gratitude,” said his son, André.
“In the last year or so he lived in Rosemary Haven, a private nursing home for dementia patients, and although facing challenges daily, he was always quick to compliment the staff on the way they looked after him.
“‘Very well’ and ‘I have nothing to complain about’ were his stock, but heartfelt answers to all inquiries into his health and well being.
“He was a gentle gentleman with a wicked, sharp sense of humour and an inner peace which he retained to the end.
“He will be sorely missed by all who found it so easy to love him.”
Fred is survived by a sister, Alice Dove; three children, André, Christo and Estelle; daughters-in-law, Linda and Elise; and grandchildren, Siem, Rouxanne and Grethe.
A memorial service will be held at the Eden Village Community Hall, in Brentwood Road, on Friday (December 2), at 11am.
Also read:
Horse confiscated from Benoni Small Farms
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