SAMJ FORUM
IN MEMORIAM

Desmond Raubenheimer le Roux (19/09/1924 - 7/06/2009)

Peter Etellin

Des and his twin brother Vincent were born in Sea Point on 19 September 1924. They started school at Sea Point Boys School, and moved to Diocesan College ('Bishops') in 1939, where they both matriculated in 1940.

Des commenced studying medicine at UCT in 1941. He joined the South African Navy in 1942. After demobilisation he re-commenced his studies, qualifying in 1949. Vincent started medicine after Des, then joined up as well, but sadly died in 1949.

Des did his housemanship year at Sir Henry Elliot hospital in Umtata in 1950. Thereafter he assisted Dr Joynt in Butterworth. While in the Transkei he met Delene Grobler, a Border hockey player, and they married in 1952. Des and Del moved to Knysna later in 1952, where he commenced solo general practice in what was then a small oak-lined holiday town. While running a busy practice he found time to play cricket for the Knysna team, and golf. He was Club Champion in 1975. His father, Piet le Roux, had played rugby in the 1906 Springbok team, so in the last few years Des derived great pleasure in watching his grandson, Nick Easter, play for England.

Des was chairman of the hospital board, hospital committee, and the local branch of MASA. He later joined Dr 'Tickey' Walsh. I had the privilege of working with them from 1965 to 1982, when Des moved to Swaziland where he was Medical Officer to the Ubombo Ranches 1982 -1986. He returned to Knysna and worked at the Knysna Provincial Hospital and thereafter at Knysna Hospice.

Des passed away on 7 June 2009. He is survived by his widow Del, and daughters, Glynis Easter, Cindy Long-Innes, Debbie Grundy and Nicky le Roux.