NIEU-BETHESDA NEWS - Nieu Bethesda's beloved dr. Bruce Larkie (75), a well-known psychiatrist, and resident of Cape Town as well as Nieu Bethesda, died unexpectedly in the garden of his house in Nieu-Bethesda on 23 September of a heart-attack.
He is survived by his sister, Esmé de Jager, brother Allan Larkie and his two nieces.
Bruce was born in Ermelo on 29 August 1943 to Frank and Ailsa Larkie.
He attended the King Edward VII School in Johannesburg. After which he then graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand, with his medical degree.
After obtaining his medical degree, he specialized in psychiatry and was also qualified in the Jungian School of Thought.
Bruce was devoted to helping people, and was extremely involved in the Bethesda community where he served on the Board of Directors of the Owl House Foundation for many years.
A lover of art and music and an accomplished pianist, Bruce will especially be remembered for his love of gardening and the beautiful gardens he created. He also restored three old houses in Nieu-Bethesda, adding beautiful gardens and orchards.
A special word of thanks is extended by Bruce’s family to Ansie and Lou Snyman for their help with all the arrangements after Bruce’s death as well as to Ansie and Victoria for their efforts in finding homes for Bruce's four dogs and his cat.
Tributes have poured in since his death. They read as follows:
"Thank you, Bruce, for many years of selfless service, energy and input to the Owl House."
"Hy was n ongelooflike goeie Pianis en het pragtige tuine geskep. Dit is vir my nogals gepas dat hy in sy tuin gesterf het."
"Bruce het dit gehaat om enigiets dood te maak. Op Universiteit in die Anatomieklas, het hy die ander studente omgekoop om sy paddas te dissekteer.'
"He was a gentle soul. When my brother and I used to visit Bethesda, we always enjoyed our visits. It was always fun and they cooked the most wonderful food!"
"Bruce was die ' Vriendelike Tuinier', met n innige empatiese liefde vir mens en dier. Sy glimlaggende groet was deurlopend ‘n blye ontmoeting."
"Hoe kry n mens 22 jaar se vriendskap in n paar woorde opgesom? Onmoontlik. Na n krisis in my lewe; het hy my staande gehou; ek mis sy oproepe, sy lag, sy wysheid en ondersteuning en verstaan. Ek mis sy vriendskap. n Ongelooflike mens - in al die jare het ek hom letterlik nog nooit iets slegs hoor praat van n ander nie. Nie eens wanneer hy te na gekom is nie. Hy het vir homself en ander opgestaan, ja, maar dit was net nie in hom om ander af te kraak nie.”
Agter die man met die groot gestalte; was n man met n klein hartjie.. Hy het werklik gou seergekry, maar dit so weggesteek. Ek mis die oproep van hom wat se`: Ek kom gou, 9 uur, vir 10 minute se tee, en dan drink ons wyn vir 3 ure - want hy het nodig gehad om sy hartdinge te praat. Hy was altyd bereid om te help waar hy kan. Vir almal. Ek koester my tye saam met hom - my kop en hart sukkel om dit nog te glo."
'What a dignified gentleman he was, the very last of his kind. And he had serious style and class!"
"Bruce was n gentle gaint teddybear. Altyd n heer, en altyd bereid om te help waar hy kan. ‘n Stylvolle, warm mens. Hy los n groot gat agter."
"Nieu Bethesda was sy ware tuiste..n sagte siel, n tuinier en n heer."
"Bruce was n Diereliefhebber, sy honde was sy alles"
"Ons gaan jou vreeslik mis Bruce, ek weet ek gaan.."
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