Tribute to a Waterfall Dad who will be missed this Father’s Day
"Dad, we will remember your strength, your humour, your wavy hair and movie-star good looks."
de Beer family
WATERFALL’S Pieter Zacharias de Beer was born with determination, weighing only 1.6kgs in 1930.
Not even The Great Depression could put a damper on his will for life.
“As a small boy, dad was often teased, weighing only 55kgs in matric. But, he was always ready to overcome. He had the spirit of a fighter, always telling us; “You are De Beers, that makes you strong”, you can get through anything. The family name and what it represented meant a lot to him,” said Anneli de Beer.
Pieter started going to the gym in his early 20s and took particular interest in weightlifting, earning his Springbok title.
He went on to win many championships and represented South Africa in the World Weightlifting Championships in Stockholm, in 1963.
His last competition was in 2001 as a Master, representing South Africa in Greece, bringing home a silver.
He attained second position in the world at the age of 71.
“Sporting a ‘6 pack’ up to the age of 80, dad was strong-willed and incredibly disciplined. Consistency was the most important thing to him and he showed this in sport as well as in taking care of his family. He was always dependable and always there to help,” said the family.
Pieter was formal and strict but he liked to make up songs and rhymes and he never lost his sense of humour.
He once asked a paramedic to put some whiskey in his drip!
“We would often play music on his gramophone and dance the night away,” said the de Beer family.
Sadly, Pieter died on 11 April this year.
“Dad, towards the end of your life, you grew closer to God and proclaimed: “My Lord, my God I can’t wait to meet you!” You lead an incredible life of 89 years that weren’t all easy but were certainly blessed.
As we face the first Father’s Day without you, we know you are at peace and we are so proud of you. Dad, we will remember your strength, your humour, your wavy hair and movie-star good looks. You are forever in our thoughts and our hearts,” said Anneli.
He is survived by his loving wife, Annatjie, children and grandchildren.
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