2022-09-06 10:24:52 schreef:

Bob, or my Great Uncle Bob, or the Great-Great Uncle Bob to our girls, was never just Bob to me. In my younger years, to our whole family he was always referenced as "Bob and Peggy", pretty much in the same way any good South African would say, "robot" for traffic light or greet by saying "Howsit". That was just the norm. My early memories of Bob consists of family gatherings at their home or holidays in Scottbourough, with invaluable and unforgettable lessons in values and etiquette, good food, (chocolate ecclairs of course), loads of laughter and, an unmistakable sound of a distinct "foghorn voice", with a very cool Irish accent. When Peggy heard that i was taking up golf, she volunteered to take me for a personal golf lesson. Unbeknown to me, this this would set me up in the future for my close connection with Bob. This led to numerous, memorable golfing holidays spent with him at Sabie River ungaloes and at Zebula. The first time Bob joined us at Zebula, i was a wild bachelor, there with a bunch of of my hooligan mates. I remember i wasn't quite sure how this would go down but it only took one round of golf for Bob to establish their respect and a fair amount of time at the 19th hole for us all to be in stitches. The conversation that day aroung the table after that game went somethimg like this. David- " if i had sunk that put on the 8th, i would have won" in a deadpan voice, Bobs response was, " David, if my aunt had balls, shed be my Uncle" Not sure who laughed the most, but the ice was broken and lifetime friendships were formed. Bob never missed our annual "strawberries and cream" parties we have for Wimbledon and was with us for a number of our girls birthday parties. He thoroughly enjoyed every gathering and all our friends loved spending time with him. He kept us all up to date with regards to the lives of every single family member abroad and would always get choked up when having that conversation. If there are lessons to learnt from Uncle Bob, they would be: Stay as up to date as possible on sport, politics, finance and family affairs. This makes holding a conversation in any environment and with anyone that much easier. Do your best to speak to people and about people in a positive light and with respect, particularly those you love. This of course excludes politicians and a golf ball! Really listen to people when speaking to them and take in what they say. Reference those conversations the next time you speak, no matter how long it takes for the next conversation to occur. Myself, Megs and our girls are going to miss having Bob around tremendously, but we will forever treasure the special moments we got to spend with him. Uncle Bob, until we meet again, please send our love to Peggy, and Bailey asked that you give our cat Tiagra some love. I look forward to picking up our conversation where we left off, you will just have to remind me where we were, because you were far better at that than me. I will be sure to raise a regular glass of Guinness in your honour , specifically every spring day, and i promise to pour it in the correct way. Love Graham, Megan, Lea and Bailey