SANParks.org Forums

It is with great sadness that I am sharing this with all:

Dr Tol Pienaar a person who I had the honour of calling oom Tol when we chatted passed away at 04:00 at his home at Stilbaai this morning.

I have spoken to his wife Annette who is sad but satisfied that her loved one is no longer with her but now in another Eden.

Oom Tol turned 80 on 12 August 2010.

After graduating at the Wits University Medical School, he started as Cadet Ranger at Kingfisherspruit in the KNP on 1 Dec 1955, he went through the ranks and retired on 30 March 1991 as Chief Director of the National Parks Board.

Oom Tol was a man of good principle, who knew his field. He named many places in the KNP and delivered many papers at international simposia where he was the well respected man from the KRUGER NATIONAL PARK. He contributed many articles to KUDU. He did much to document the history of the KRUGER NATIONAL PARK.

He will be missed by wife Annette, sons Danie and Pierre their wives and his grandchildren, and of course his many friends and colleagues.

I am indeed proud to say that we chatted a lot, he shared with me and I learnt from him.

The books "Neem uit die Verlede", "Goue Jare" and "The Freshwater Fishes of the Kruger National Park" which he authored will now be even more precious to me than before.

Nature Conservation has now lost a GREAT.

His imprints in the KRUGER NATIONAL PARK will last for ever.

I salute you "Bayete" as you also once said at the grave of Ranger Helfas Nkuma. May you rest in peace.

gmlsmit, my sentiments are with you. Indeed Dr U de V Pienaar was one of the greatest men that SA, and Kruger have seen. God bless his family and friends.

A great loss indeed. The role he played in Kruger will be appreciated for many years to come. His finger prints will never completely disappear.

Our deepest sympathies with his family and friends.

I concur with the above sentiments - His death is a great loss indeed!! May he rest in peace.

Dr Tol Pienaar contributed hugely to conservation in South Africa and specifically to the Kruger National Park. His keen interest in the history and the two mentioned works, Neem uit die Verlede and Goue Jare are testimony to the realisation of his dream to document the intricate and detailed history of this area that we all love so much. My heartfelt condolences to Annette, Danie, Pierre and their families. It was a priveledge to have worked with and known this great man! RIP, Oom Tol!

JOEP STEVENS

http://www.sanparks.org/about/news/default.php?id=1598

I can still see Dr Pienaar talking to the owners of properties in Sabi Sands when I was a teenager...he chatted to me afterwards and many years later he often welcomed me into his office at Skukuza..wonderful man and dedicated conservationist

The Lifetime Contribution Award presented at the 2012 Kudu Awards, went to Dr Pienaar posthumously. In the same topic are pictures of his family receiving the award.

For those that have missed my previous post, his book 'Neem uit die Verlede' is now available in English. It is called 'A Cameo from the Past' Available from Kalahari.com. R750.00 and its yours.

When a man or woman has let a fruitful and positive life, it makes it easier to say goodbye, although the parting is sad.

His legacy lives on and it is up to others to further it.

What a Legend he was. He is someone who is gone but his legacy will remain.

I Salute him

A great man, a great man indeed. A life well lived. Indeed he has left a legacy.

My condolences to his family.