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Dave Lowe passed away on May 7, 2024, and is survived by his wife Dianne. I was not close to Dave at DHS, and lost contact with him entirely after DHS - until I saw him again at the Class of 1963 50th anniversary reunion. Except that I know that Dave lived in Durban until his passing, and worked in IT, I have little information on him. So I encourage anyone who is able to write a proper obituary to please do so.
Stuart "Mossie" Clark
July 18, 2024
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Arthur Godbeer
Very sad. I too was close to Dave. Same class in standard six DPHS (don't have any record of earlier years), and DHS forms 3, 4, 6. I don't know about 5, there's only one photo of that year and we're not in that one. Dave was one of the "Bluff gang", as I affectionately referred to them in a previous post on this forum. Last spoke to him at our 50th and I had hoped he'd be at our 60th.Keith Stewart
David Frederick Lowe
Dave, as he was known to all was one of those characters we will never forget. DPHS. DHS, DLI, Career, Family and Comrades, a life lived to the full, the life of a true gentleman.
Dave was raised on the Bluff and was definately a member of "The Bluff Gang". School was a means to an end, something to enjoy when you could and endured when not, but in retrospect, the best days of his life.We took the science route at School, Forms 3S to 6S, Memorable masters, Charlie Crewe, our chemistry master for 4 years who only learnt our names in our matric year are remembered by all.
Dave, together with his Bluff Gang formed a band while at School comprising of Dave, base guitar, Barry Grisdale, lead guitar, Rob Ettershank, rhythm and Geoff Salt on drums. No stardom resulted but many joyful hours were spent practising and playing together.
School ended and national service followed. Like so many of us Dave ended up in the DLI and posted to Tempe military camp for basic training. DLI for some obscure reason were chosen as the first South African regiment to wear the green infantry beret. The problem was that there wern't any when we arrived so no headgear, Army haircuts followed and Dave, with his light skin colouring suffered more than most with sunburnt skin peeling off his shorn head in sheets.
Dave endured. One notable event during this period was joining the confirmation classes at the local Anglican church, anything to get out of camp. We passed and our mothers journeyed to Bloemfontein, by train, for our confirmation service, a truly epic adventure in those days.
As for many of us the end of that first episode of national servive was also the dispersal point of our lives. Daves niche in life was carved out of a career in IT, his family and the Comrades Marathon. He was fortunate enough to experience first hand, the effect the information explosion had on all of our lives as the years unfolded..
Family, married to Megan with 2 childnen, Richard and Andrea the ideal pigeon pair.. During 1974, with the recent birth of Andrea in 73, the Comrades saga began. This love, hate relationship continued for the next 42 years. Daves first Comrades was a huge challenge Comrades was always a step to far for most of us but 42 years later Dave retired his Comrades number 1702 having earned 3 Sliver, 35 Bronze, 3 Bill Rowan and 1 Vic Clapton medals, 42 medals in 42 years.
I am sure this must be a record for a School Old Boy, earned quietly, without fanfare, unknown to most of us.
Our paths crossed again in 2006, our 60th birthday year at my 60th bash. The guest list included a number of Class of 63 friends, a great reintroduction. The Class of 63 50 year celebration, brought together a lot of old friends
Dave had a wonderful take on the weekend when we met for the cocktail party.
"So many strange old faces but I will always rember the voices"
To Megan and family our sincerest condolences, we know you miss him and so do we.
To the Bluff Gang, school friends, friends and fellow Comrades runners, take a moment to remember a great friend and a true gentleman.
Dave Lowe Rest in Peace.