VN March 2023

Vetnews | March 2023 29 This is a tribute to the late Dr Alan Fair, who sadly passed away on 26 February 2022 at the young age (as he liked to say) of 87. Some may remember his witty and sometimes brutally honest column called “Fair Comment” published in this magazine for several years. Anyone who met Alan knew him as a loving father, husband and amazing storyteller. He would so easily share his knowledge and experiences with anyone ready to listen. Alan started out as a State Vet in Rustenburg, then spent a brief time in Pietermaritzburg, after which he worked most of his life in private practice in Bethlehem, known and respected by many in the farming and local community. His first marriage was to Margaret; they had four wonderful children together, Cathy, Robert, Colin and Dianne. His second marriage was to Dennise in 1977; she gave him three daughters, Laura, who he lovingly adopted, and his two laatlammetjies, Helen and Susan. Sadly, Dennise passed away in 2010. His third marriage was to Nadine in 2018. Alan had 17 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was an active member of the Bethlehem Golf Club, of which he was the Club Captain for several years, as well as a member of the Round Table for many years. IN MEMORY OF ALAN FAIR “I’ll start by setting the scene of a life full of fun and enthusiasm and a touch of crazy; he won’t mind me saying this. Attending a sick cow, he was warned about a male ostrich that was lurking in the camp nearby; halfway across the field to the cow, his eye caught movement to his right; sure enough, it was the ostrich, and before he could blink an eye it charged straight for him, he knew the camp gate was too far. He would never outrun the damn thing. The only choice left was to turn and charge right back! Dropping all his unnecessary gear, he charged, waving his medical case, kicking his legs up to the sides and shouting like a madman. Of course, it worked; that ostrich knew he had met his match that day!!” >>> 32