Passing on of Prof. Fritz Eloff.

[gmlsmit]

It has been announced that the time had come today for Prof. Fritz Eloff; a Man amongst the lions and a Lion amongst the men.

Prof. Eloff was a well known Zoologist, he the headed the Zoology Faculty of the Pretoria University. Most of the Conservationists who contributed to what our National Parks are today were educated by this humble man. He never lectured, he chatted while everyone listened at the Eugene Marais Chair at TUKS for 42 years.

He was well respected internationally and recognized by all involved in Conservation.

Prof. Eloff was a member oh the South African Rugby Board executive committee for 30 years; he succeeded Dr. Danie Craven as Chairman of the Board. He was also a lifelong honorary member of the Blue Bulls and SARFU.

He was also Chairman of the International Rugby Board from 1989 to 1990.

Prof. Eloff was a member of the National Parks Board, where he was Chairman during the period 1979 until his retirement in 1993. He led the National Parks Board and its entire staff by example, Prof. or Oom Fritz and wife Valerie, were always welcomed with open arms by all..

He had a special feeling for the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and the Damaraland and Kaokoveld where he spent much of his time. Prof. Eloff and his colleague Prof. J. du P. (Koos) Bothma did intensive research on the Lions of the arid parts of our Country and its surrounds.

He wrote books about his beloved Lions, the fascinating Elephants and the Little People those who never exploited and only took what they needed – the Bushman, now sadly just maybe his latest book about those important persons in his life may not have been completed . . . .

He often contributed to KOEDOE and read papers at international conferences and lectured at conservation agencies.

When he spoke about the Lions of the Ngorongoro everyone went quiet and just listened to this fascinating man,

You can read more about Prof. Fritz Eloff the man amongst the Lions and a Lion amongst men at viewtopic.php?f=131&t=34960

He is survived by two daughters and two grandchildren.

Prof. Fritz your legacy will live on and humanity will be much poorer as from today. We salute you.

[MATTHYS]

We salute you.

A salute from me too.

[Crested Val]

A great gentleman.

[okie]

A real sad day with the passing of a great man We are all the poorer for it
He was my Zoology prof way back in 1961 , and will always be remembered with fondness about his anecdotes about the Kgalagadi bushmen as well as Kalahari lions

[Carol g]

Very sad to loose such a great man

[hilda]

RIP Prof Eloff.

Condolences to the family.

[Rooies]

Very sad news indeed. RIP Prof.

[JeanniR]

Prof. Fritz your legacy will live on and humanity will be much poorer as from today. We salute you.

Beautiful words! He will always be remembered for all the good work he has done.

My condolences to his family during this sad time.

[giraffee]

Prof. Eloff was a member of the National Parks Board, where he was Chairman during the period 1979 until his retirement in 1993. He led the National Parks Board and its entire staff by example, Prof. or Oom Fritz and wife Valerie, were always welcomed with open arms by all..

He wrote books about his beloved Lions, the fascinating Elephants and the Little People those who never exploited and only took what they needed – the Bushman, now sadly just maybe his latest book about those important persons in his life may not have been completed . . . .

Prof. Fritz your legacy will live on and humanity will be much poorer as from today. We salute you.

Thank you for your beautiful words glmsmit. A great loss to earth. Herewith also my salute.

[PNF]

R I P Prof Fritz - Conservation and this country are the poorer for losing you.

[Bush Baptist]

When a giant among men has lived a long and fruitful life passes on, I believe it is inappropriate to grieve, unless you are closely related or involved with the person, so my condolences go to the family of Fritz Eloff, at the sadness caused by the finality of his passing.

The rest of us should give thanks for a productive life that gave positive input to many for a long time.

When a short life is nipped in the bid, it is tragic, but when one is allowed to build a very productive and long innings, like Fritz was, it will be remembered in posterity for a long time to come.

Thank you Fritz. RIP.