ALAN DOUGLAS - 1935 - 2026

It is with the deepest sadness that we announce to all ODs the sad passing of Alan Douglas, former long-standing staff member at Bishops who served the school for 35 years!  

Alan matriculated in 1952, from St Joseph’s College. He was 16 when he completed his final exams.  

After qualifying as a teacher with degrees in the humanities and education, he began his teaching career at SACS  in 1957 after which he went to Hottentots-Holland High School in Somerset West where he taught until 1964.

His teaching career at Bishops started in 1965, under Anthony Mallett.  He left for a brief period to work in the UCT Alumni office as Alumni Officer in sports management (1998 - 1990) after which he returned to Bishops to continue his Afrikaans teaching until 1999, continuing to inspire hundreds of Bishops boys! 

At the occasion of Bishops' 150th year in 1999, he ran the 150 Celebrations project.

Whilst at Bishops he and Georgie whom he had married on 22/11/1957 lived in the White House annex.  

He finally retired from Bishops at the end of 1999, with the conclusion of the 150 celebrations. 

At the time of retirement from Bishops, Alan had taught Afrikaans at Bishops from 1965–1988 & 1991–1999.   He had been the teacher in Charge of the Cederberg Adventure Course, Housemaster of Ogilvie, First XV coach and Rugby Teacher in Charge as well as Organiser of Bishops 150 celebrations.

It must also be said that whilst his subject was Afrikaans, his contribution to sport was invaluable, as both coach and administrator, not only for Bishops but also for Western Province Schools Rugby and Cricket. He was master-in-charge of rugby and 1st Team coach for four years; he was on the W.P. Schools Rugby executive for a great many years, for some of them as Vice-Chairman, and managed the Western Province Craven Week team on four occasions. In what must be a unique double, he was also on the W.P. Schools Cricket executive, was a Nuffield selector and managed the Western Province Nuffield Team at two tournaments, at the first of which the captain was Vincent van der Byl (OD). 

Alan was always the most engaging of colleagues and his relationship with his students was cordial, endearing, interested and that of a true teacher.  He loved every minute of it, from the time he started at SACS, HHH and then his Bishops career.

Alan leaves behind his children Christine Douglas, Lesley Krone and Geordie Nolte and five grandchildren.

His children will remember Alan their beloved father as a very skilled events and travel planner, who planned annual family road trips, long before the internet.  Also as the organiser of many Bishops fetes.  He put on several plays, (Zigger Zagger, Conduct Unbecoming) as well as when Housemaster of Ogilvie, many variety concerts.  He himself enjoyed being in the renowned staff plays. 

He loved hiking, and was part of the inception of the Adventure Club (predecessor to The Epic).

His philanthropy and service to others was in the form of reading for Tape Aids for the Blind.

After retiring to Betty’s Bay, Alan qualified as a Tour Guide and worked in the Tourist Office in Kleinmond.

There he continued his love of braaiing and cooking.

As a resident of Fairmead Court where he and Georgie lived after final retirement, Alan curated the very popular weekly quizzes.  In addition, he was the librarian at Fairmead Court.  He also organised movie nights at Fairmead Court when there were then still DVD’s.

No day could begin without the Cape Times crossword (until he unsubscribed from the newspaper).

From Bishops and all the ODs, our heartfelt condolences to Alan's family, Christine, Lesley and Geordie and his grandchildren, remembering Alan and Georgie, his beloved wife/life partner, with love and great affection.   

Alan Douglas, RIP.

Requiescant in Pace.

Alan's celebration of life service will take place at 10.30am on Friday 30th January 2026 at St Paul's Anglican Church in Rondebosch.  One of the Officiants will be the Reverend Bob Commin.

Photograph above - Alan Douglas as a young school teacher at SACS, his firts teaching post - second row from the back, furthest left (Credit - Charles Field, Wynberg).

Alan Douglas as a young staff member, and Cricket Coach (Photo Credit - Akkersdyk).

Alan Douglas, Housemaster of Ogilvie House (Photo Credit - Akkersdyk).

Alan Douglas - Bishops Sports Coach Extraordinaire (Photo Credit: Craig Wilson).

Alan Refereeing rugby (Photo Credit - Bishops Archives).

Alan Douglas, exceptional teacher, the profession he loved above all else! (Photo credit - Bishops Archives).

Alan Douglas, part of the Senior Staff, Bishops, 1992 (Phot credit - Akkersdyk).