VRYHEID KZN: In memory of Pastor Peter Sandalls

When I called the Vryheid Herald, Christel answered and said she was so sorry to hear about the passing of ‘Uncle Peter’. It struck me then how endeared and how loved he was to so many people in his hometown, where he lived almost all his life. He was ‘Dad’ to us, but to everyone else, he was ‘Uncle Peter’ because he treated all as family. He was the kindest man I ever knew and in keeping with the Biblical meaning of his name – ‘the rock’, he was a true leader, bringing strength, humility and compassion to everything he did. This was clear from the start.

Peter arrived in Vryheid in his primary school years and went on to become head boy of Vryheid High, receiving Victrix Ludorum on the sports field and wowing the crowds as drum major as he threw the baton up high and caught it perfectly every time. He never missed a beat, whether leading the band or the scouts, as captain of the running team, or later as both local and regional chairman of the Round Table, or at the organ keyboard setting the ambience and leading the singing for so many Methodist services and in many other churches, bringing Heaven to earth with such ease with his magnificent playing. And finally, to go on to follow his deeper ‘calling’ and stand before his own congregation as Pastor Peter, tracing the steps of the Master, leading tours through Israel, and sharing true fellowship and wisdom in counselling sessions and helping so many on their journeys through life when their paths were rocky… or in celebration of marriages, and on the occasions of both birth and death, he presided over proceedings with focus, love, passion and deep devotion.

Peter was a family man, a farmer, a pilot and a skilled salesman through the years… and a devoted husband first to Dorothea and then to Grace, who was by his side until the very end. He loved the earth as much as he did the sky. His days in the sun were spent out on the land for many years… so many walks and sunsets we remember, and so many windy joyrides up high in his light aircraft. Peter was an avid member of the Vryheid Flying Club and flew for many years for the Parachute Club, as well as many mercy flights for families in need of getting loved ones urgently to places of care.

And so it was with heavy and very full hearts that we bade Dad, Peter, farewell on August 18, 2021, a few months short of his 88th birthday. He spent his last few years in Howick, where late-stage Parkinson’s became more and more difficult for him… But to his last day he remained ever so loving and courageous, humble and wise, with that deep sense of peace and ‘knowing’ that was always in his kind eyes.

Everywhere he went, he found someone to talk to… and he could not go anywhere without someone coming close to catch a loving smile or a word of wisdom from our beloved Peter. He will be missed and was so loved by so many. We are grateful for his full and wonderful life; and to all of the many friends whose lives he has touched, we thank you for your kind words, letters and prayers of comfort.

From all the family, Peter’s sister and brothers, his seven grandchildren and their mothers and fathers, his wife Grace, and children Andrew, Rainette, Kevern and Sylve, and the last in the lineage as yet, Peter’s two gorgeous great-granddaughters Ella and Olivia. The very last service that Pastor Peter held was the Christening of his great-granddaughter Olivia. What a special and joyous last rite to perform before he closed his prayer book for good. Sweet memories of blessed days filled with so much love.

Hamba kahle Khulu. You are a legend and your memory lingers on in the churches and the fields and the colour of your eyes in the great blue sky.

There will be a memorial service held in honour of Peter at 11:00 on Friday, September 24, at the Greystone Chapel in Estcourt (district road P 171, follow Moor Park, Zulu waters board, 6km from N3 Estcourt, 3310).

RSVP Sylve on 065 812 6889

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