HermanusTimes

It is harrowing to report the fate of Bill van der Riet who was the victim of a gang of robbers in Pretoria East. His body was found with hands tied behind his back, beaten and strangled in the living room of his home in Die Wilgers.

Bill had lived alone in the house for many years during which time he was frequently robbed. Thus he was reluctant to leave the house except when his weekly gardener or maid was on the property. He was retired from the CSIR.

Bill is closely associated with Onrus River where he was the owner of “Geheim” on Atlantic Drive. He inherited the house from his mother Peggy who lived there for many years.

As he enjoyed living in Pretoria he postponed coming to live in Onrus and let out the house for some years. It was only recently that he made the decision to sell up in Pretoria and realise his dream of coming to retire in Onrus.

Big Bill, as he was affectionately known, was a scholar, naturalist and scientist. His numerous and varied interests and hobbies included botany (especially aloes, fynbos and trees), astronomy, butterflies (one is named after him), old cars and playing Spanish pieces on his classical guitar.

He loved mentally challenging games such as crosswords and Sudoku. Even playing the Lotto gave him pleasure and he was always explaining his strategy and ended up laughing at the Lotto results.

He no doubt was looking forward to living in Onrus with his telescope, his guitar, a homemade laboratory to dabble in and nursery to perhaps finally crack the secret of how to grow a marsh rose.

By profession he was a scientist and a very highly regarded research microbiologist and well-known personality in the food industry.

He did his MSc thesis on biltong microflora ? food was always close to his heart. He enjoyed cooking and was famous for his pickles that he perfected over the years. His friends and family will miss him sadly. They'll miss his sense of humour, his wonderful scientific knowledge, his humility and his generosity. According to his nephew and nieces no one else has ever shown them a koekemakranka plant.

Alas, Onrus and indeed the Overstrand would have been a richer place with Bill van der Riet around. He was 61.