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News > Passing of friends > Peter Philips | 1939 - 2020

Peter Philips | 1939 - 2020

Former College Afrikaans teacher, Peter Philips, passed away on June 27. He is survived by his sister Muriel, his 2 sons, Sean (1993O) and Johnathan (1995O) and 4 grandchildren.

Peter's son, Johnathan, has wrote a few words on his father. 

Peter Vincent Atherton Philips was born in what was then called the Transvaal on the 8th of October 1939. He had two sisters, Simone and Muriel and a brother Joseph. 
 
After a period spent with the Christian Brothers, he took up a post teaching at Falcon College in Zimbabwe. It was during this period that he met and fell in love with his wife Bridget and they had two sons, Sean (1993O) and Jonathan (1995O). He was an enigmatic part of life at Falcon, as a rugby coach, a Waterpolo coach and as a housemaster of one of the boarding houses. 
 
In 1984 he took up a position as part of the Afrikaans department at Bishops. During his tenure, he coached under 14a rugby, 1st team Waterpolo and was assistant housemaster of Founders House. 
 
He was well respected in the Waterpolo community in the Western Cape and managed the colts team in the 90s. The Philips cup is named in his honour. 
 
In his retirement he never gave up his passion for learning as well as teaching, he established contacts via Skype in order to learn German and Russian, and to teach English, leading to him being invited by a well-respected professor to tour Russia, and give lectures on South Africa's indigenous cultures. 
 
These are just facts, and can never truly some up the man that he was, as well as the influence he had on thousands of young men. 
 
Above all, he was a humble and kind man with steadfast faith, a proper old school gentleman. 
 
He is survived by his sister Muriel, his 2 sons and 4 grandchildren. 
 
Date of passing: 27 June 2020. 
Location of passing: Johannesburg. 

 

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