It is a great honour and privilege for me to pay tribute to a great, extraordinary man who lived an extraordinary life, someone I was proud to call Dad. It is through the example set by him that my brothers and I are the husbands and fathers we are today. During his lifetime, he had a few roles: School Teacher, Lifesaving coach, Chairman of the Eastern Province Lifesaving Association, Eastern Province Athletics coach, Manager, Rotarian and so on, but the one I believe he was most proud of was ‘Dad’!
Andre Koetser was born on the 27th of August 1954 in Bloemfontein. He was the first born child of Bob and Malone, and brother to his sister Lynn. At the age of 9 the family relocated to Port Elizabeth where my father attended a few local schools before attending Graeme College in Graemstown. This is where he matriculated and in the same year, met the love of his life, my mother Beverley, after having been set up on a blind date!
It was clear that they loved one-another deeply early on and their relationship continued to blossom whilst Dad attended Teachers Training College and completed his military service. They married in 1976 and shortly thereafter, had two sons, Robert (Bobby) and Gary. 4 years later, they left Port Elizabeth for Cape Town where Dad pursued a career change with South African Breweries, and where their 3rd son, Dale, was born.
My Dad’s career flourished with SAB which resulted in a series of promotions and a move to South African Maltsters in Caledon. He enjoyed an exciting career there whilst enjoying small town community focused living. He was a true ‘company man’, dedicated to his job and extremely proud of being part of such a dynamic organisation. In his spare time, other than spending time with his family, he was actively involved with the Rotary Club of Caledon with various charity based initiatives.
He was a lover of the great outdoors, often taking us boys for hikes and walks in the bush. He loved his sport, and participated in rugby, running, golf, squash and lifesaving. It was these lifesaving skills that enabled him to save the lives of 3 people in their time of need. He loved his holidays with his family touring all over South Africa, insisting that his sons should see and appreciate the beautiful country in which they lived. He was a music lover, guitar player, and cultural enthusiast.
The 22nd of February 1990, a date that will forever be remembered by our family, was the day he suffered a tragic asthma attack which left him incapacitated for 21 years. His, and the lives of his family were forever changed by this tragic event. The result of the accident was devastating for him, where at the age of 35, he lost the ability to speak properly, see clearly, feed himself, move or do anything anywhere unassisted. Despite this, he was an inspiration in that he somehow seemed to remain in good spirits. He had very few pleasures left in life, and so his family, fond memories and good food seemed to keep him going. He would often talk about his work, the Breweries, and how much he missed it. He loved his annual travel to Port Elizabeth, spending time with his parents, his sister, cousin and their families. It is fair to say that he was happiest when he was surrounded by his family.
Psychologists describe the role of the father as being a participator / problem solver, playmate, principled guide, provider and preparer. Reflecting about it now, it is incredible to think that my Father was able fulfil these roles from the confines of a bed and a wheelchair!
He was undoubtedly an example through his perseverance and endurance in the most challenging of personal circumstances. He was a great father, someone to look up to, and admire. He was a loving, loyal and devoted husband, and forever grateful for his wife standing by him until the end. He was bravest man I knew, and the bravest I’m likely to ever know.
He gave us a great life and made each of us feel special in our own way!
He was a loving, fun, principled father – I know I speak for my brother’s when I say that we are all proud to be his sons and aspire to be more like him with our children!
He was a proud grandfather, blessed with 5 grandchildren and a 6th on the way!
He was a loving, devoted son and brother.
He should be remembered and admired for his strength of character, his courage, his integrity, his humility, his bravery, his devotion to, and love for, his family, and his wicked sense of humour.
He will forever live in the hearts of those closest to him and will be sorely missed by all. As difficult as it is to say good-bye, we pray that God bless him and that he may now rest in peace.
He is survived by his wife Beverley, his parents Bob and Malone, his sister Lynn, sons Gary, Dale and myself, daughters in law Shelley, Lee and Marysia, and grandchildren Matthew, Tayla, Joshua, Zac, Julian and his unborn little sister.
He is gone but never forgotten, and we will love and miss him dearly always.
