“My dear old Dad, Alan John Foot passed away today, the 4th of June 2017, he was 83 years old.
Dad attended Boys High from 1946 – 1950. He was the second generation of “Feet” to attend our special school, following my Grandad, Percy. I was privileged to be the third generation to do so and fondly recall finding my Uncle Rob Foot’s (my Dad’s brother) name engraved on a desk in Mr Henry’s class on my first day at school.
My Dad loved the school and was proud of having played for the water polo team and particularly for the 1st Rugby XV in 1949 and 1950. In fact, his rugby prowess and in particular his crash- tackling was apparently well known at the time and led to a lovely little anecdote which has emanated from the School on the Hill.
Dad was injured at some point during the rugby season and this seems to have caused concern, to the extent that even the legendary Bob Fair expressed himself on the subject. In class one day he enquired of my Dad; “How’s your Foot, Alan?”, to which my Dad responded; “Fair, Sir!”
This (true) story has been oft- repeated, much to my Dad’s amusement and with some artistic licence. The only version which worried him, a touch was the one which had Mr Fair saying; “How’s your Foot, Foot?” and my Dad retorting; “Fair, Fair!” My Dad assured me that he would never have been so disrespectful to Mr. Fair.
My Dad played rugby for Harlequins for many years and practiced as an Architect throughout his career in his town of birth, Pretoria. He married my late Mom, Sonya and they produced my sister, Lara and myself. They were both doting grandparents of Lara and my children.
Dad was an unassuming, patient, calm gentleman with a dry wit and considerable intellect. A well- read man of progressive political thought way before this became popular, he loved sport, reading and music and always had a naughty twinkle in his eye.
He will be sadly missed by his loving family.”
Brandon Foot