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In Memoriam
The following colleague passed away recently:
Dr Rudolf Visser
24/04/1935 - 15/04/2015
We honour his contribution to our profession and society in general.
Our sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones.
v
A list of veterinarians, both SAVA members and non-members, who passed away
recently. Non-veterinarians who made a positive impact on the profession are also
included. Please provide us with information you might have in this regard.
N
igel Bryson belonged to
a unique family in that
three generations of the
Bryson family qualified
as veterinarians. Nigel’s
father Bob worked in the Bulawayo
area in Zimbabwe, subsequently
relocating to Pietermaritzburg, whilst
Nigel’s daughter, Danielle, qualified
as a veterinarian at the Onderstepoort
Faculty. Nigel went to school in
England where he excelled in sport,
particularly athletics and we are
told that some of the records he
established in those days are still
standing today.
After completing his schooling in
England, Nigel enrolled for a BSc
degree at Rhodes University where he
majored in Entomology. He was thus
well-equipped to study ticks and tick-
borne diseases, a field of study that
was a deep-seated passion with him
and would prove to be of inestimable
value in his subsequent career-path.
He enrolled for the veterinary science
degree at the Faculty of Veterinary
Science, University of Pretoria and,
after qualifying as a veterinarian,
entered into practice in the Durban
and surrounding area, where he was
well-known for his interest in nature
and wildlife, often visiting game
reserves in his leisure moments.
Many colleagues will remember him
for his unique game-watching vehicle,
which was a red “bakkie” with a metal
garden bench welded on the roof of
the cab.
It was after he joined the staff of the
Veterinary Faculty at Medunsa that
Nigel began to exhibit his research
acumen. His research for the
MMedVet degree was meticulous and
a number of publications followed.
His research project “Trapping of
free-living, unfed adult and nymphal
Amblyomma hebreaum
in heartwater
endemic regions of South Africa,
and the prevalence of
Cowdria
ruminantium
in a sample of adult
ticks” was widely acclaimed and
in the words of a colleague “set a
fine example of what a research
veterinarian should be, applying
himself and his knowledge to projects
that had real meaning for the animal
world.” His dissertation can be
accessed though the University
of Pretoria system. Nigel was also
involved in directing and assisting
other post-graduate students.
He also had a heart for the under-
privileged and for many years was
involved in the organising and running
of the community veterinary clinic in
Maboloka and Lethlabile, where the
indigent population was assisted with
veterinary services every Saturday
morning.
With the amalgamation of the
Veterinary Faculties of Onderstepoort
and Medunsa, Nigel moved across to
the Onderstepoort campus where he
resumed his friendship with former
colleagues and established many new
friendships. Many colleagues have
attested to the in-depth discussions,
jokes and chats in the tea-room.
There were a number of colleagues
(among whom I was privileged to be
numbered) who were members of the
various lift clubs to which Nigel also
belonged and it is of interest to note
that, without exception, our memories
of those daily trips to and from
Medunsa (and
subsequently
Onderste
poort) are
vivid with
the range
of subjects
that were
hammered
out and the sparks our different
personal attitudes brought to the
party, with never a cross word to spoil
the debate.
Nigel will always be remembered
for the good and lasting friendships
he established and when he left
the employ of the University for
health reasons, many university
staff members felt the void that was
created by his departure.
I too share in the words of a colleague
who wrote on hearing of Nigel’s
death from a heart attack: “His
illness became progressively worse,
but he retained his courage and
determination to keep independent for
as long as possible.”
Yet another colleague wrote: “Nigel
certainly enriched my life”, whilst
yet another, at his memorial service,
sent a tribute saying: “Like many
others, I will miss the unforgettable
goodness and generosity what shone
through his pain and misfortune. His
originality and strength of conviction
were stimulating and enriched the
live of those of us who shared some
privileged years together.”
Nigel Bryson, we salute you.
v
Colin Cotton (with contributions
from Ned Donkin, Ken Pettey, Dennis
Schäffler and Jim Robinson).
Nigel Robert Bryson
3 September 1950 - 13 December 2014
In Memoriam