Dudley and his wealth of jokes will be sorely missed

VANDERBIJLPARK. – One of the Vaal Triangle’s most colourful characters and a Past President of the Vanderbijlpark Rotary Club, Mr Dudley Walker, sadly passed away on April 15.
Dudley joined Vanderbijlpark Rotary Club in January 1974 shortly after his relocation from Carletonville to open an accounting and auditing practice in Vanderbijlpark, holding the classification of Business Service (Accounting). From the start Dudley’s enthusiasm for Rotary and his willingness to get involved at every level was evident.
Dudley filled many offices during his Rotary career, including Attendance Officer, Sergeant-at-Arms, Club Service Chair, International Service Chairman and Youth, but the two positions he enjoyed most were undoubtedly Youth and Sergeant-at-Arms.
He held the office of President for the 1979/80 Rotary year and soon after became involved with Rotary Youth Exchange where he served as Treasurer for a number of years. His involvement with Youth Exchange was a very hands-on one and many of the exchange students will have fond memories of wonderful 4×4 camping trips to the mountains arranged and run by Dudley. In this area Dudley had the wholehearted support and assistance of his wife, Dawn, who, sadly, predeceased him by a number of years.
Dudley was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) by the Club in 1987 for his exemplary service and commitment to Rotary in general and to his Club, where he had a record of forty years of 100% attendance.
He was an active Rotarian until a few weeks before he passed away. Many will remember him for being at his post early every Saturday at The Rotary Book Shop at the Sylviavale Heritage Museum.
In his younger days Dudley took part in many car rallies with his wife as navigator. He took part in numerous Roof of Africa rallies and could keep everybody entertained with stories of his rally adventures. He was a member of the Four Wheel Drive Club of South Africa as well as the Vaal Old Wheels Club for many years.
“Dudley’s passing leaves a big void in Rotary Club Vanderbijlpark. His fine sense of humour and wealth of jokes will surely be missed by all our club members. He is deeply mourned by his two sons, four grand children and many friends,” says Petro Bester, President of Vanderbijlpark Rotary Club.
* The club’s members also extend their condolences to Past President Hannes Malan and his wife Helene on the passing away of their son, Corné, who lost his battle against cancer on April 26. Full report about Corné’s passing in this week’s edition of Vaalweekblad.