The Old Diocesan Issue 12 - Magazine - Page 115
OBITUARIES
A LIFE WELL TAUGHT
One of the last of the 20th-century Bishops greats,
“Oddjob” is finally at rest
ALAN DOUGLAS
(1935-2026)
Adapted tribute by Dr Paul Murray
Alan Douglas matriculated in 1952
from St Joseph’s College, completing
his final exams at the age of 16. After
qualifying as a teacher with degrees
in the humanities and education, he
began his career at SACS in 1957 –
the same year he married the lovely
Georgie. A spell at HottentotsHolland High School in Somerset
West followed, before he arrived
at Bishops in 1965, under Anthony
Mallett. In 1988, he left briefly to work
at the UCT alumni office as an alumni
officer in sports management, before
he made a triumphant return to the
Diocesan fold in 1991 to continue
teaching Afrikaans. He retired in 1999
after 32 years of devoted and widely
appreciated service to the school.
Alan and Georgie lived in the
White House annex during their
time at Bishops – and it was a time
that was filled to the brim. Along the
way, Alan was the teacher in charge
of the Cederberg Adventure Course
(precursor to Epic); housemaster
of Ogilvie; both First XV coach
and rugby teacher-in-charge; and
an organiser of the Bishops 150
celebrations. While his primary
teaching subject was Afrikaans, his
contribution to sport was invaluable
as both coach and administrator –
not just at Bishops, but also at WP
Schools. He was on the WP Schools
rugby executive for many years,
some of them as vice-chairman,
and also managed the WP Craven
as his idiosyncrasies evolved – he
became “Odders”. He loved every
minute of teaching.
His children – Christine, Lesley
and Geordie – will remember him as
a skilled events and travel coordinator
who planned many an annual road
trip long before the internet existed.
These organisational skills were useful
when it came to the countless Bishops
fêtes, plays and variety concerts that
Week team on four occasions. And in
what must be a unique rugby-cricket
double, he was part of the WP Schools
cricket executive, a Nuffield selector,
and the manager of the WP Nuffield
team at two tournaments. One of
those teams was captained by
Vintcent van der Bijl (1965F).
Alan was the most engaging of
colleagues, and his relationship with
his students was cordial, endearing
and always interested. The boys knew
him affectionately as “Oddjob”, for
“his iconic bowler hat and a certain
James Bond-style presence”, as his
friend and past pupil Craig Wilson
(1982S) explained it. Later – perhaps
he had a hand in. He loved hiking,
and after retiring to Betty’s Bay, he
qualified as a tour guide and worked
at the tourism office in Kleinmond.
His philanthropy was expressed
in service to others, in the form of
reading for Tape Aids for the Blind.
Upon his and Georgie’s final
retirement to Fairmead Court in
Rondebosch, Alan refused to be still,
curating weekly quizzes, acting as
the resident librarian and organising
movie nights. Our condolences go
to his family and friends.
Requiescat in pace.
See further reminisces on page 120.
Spot the past masters: College staff 1992, with John Gardener as principal.
Alan “Oddjob” Douglas is front row far right.
THE OLD DIOCESAN | 111
