Rolf. Pictured here age 62. Born 1904, Capetown, youngest of six children of Olai and Theodora. The other four were born in Norway. "Put to a trade" at age 14 as apprentice cabinet maker. Hated it for a year and displayed what became
a lifelong ineptitude in that field. Left to become office boy where his flair for figures was recognised. Could add a page-long column of 3-digit numbers in one quick sweep - six digits took two sweeps - and seldom made a mistake. Worked as clerk doing this kind of thing almost all his life, mostly for the same tobacco company. Married 1934. Transferred by firm to Johannesburg.
A heavy smoker. Lost a lung at age 50, but that did not stop him smoking.
Conscientious husband and father, though inclined to worry too much. Blamed worry over family and job for stomach ulcer that plagued him for years.
Great passion was sport. Especially cricket; was captain of team in Capetown local league for a time. Incurred a hernia jumping for a high catch - successfully repaired. Also played football (lost a cartiledge, as above). Would watch almost any sport, especially baseball, but even hockey.
Would read every word of sports pages in newspaper every day, and most of those in rest of paper as well. Never known to read a book - apart from stories for kids. Never owned or drove a car.
Definitely a betting man. Gambling instincts kept under control, once married, by will-power and our mother; but could not resist a flutter here and there - mercifully for small stakes - often secretly. Good at cards, sometimes lucky on the horses, the dogs, or 'fah-fee' (a kind of numbers racket operated illegally by Jo'burg Chinese).
Died, back in Capetown after retirement, of bowel condition, 1973.
Muriel. Pictured at age 57. Born Capetown 1909, eldest of nine children of George (Irish extraction) and Ottilie (German). Strong Catholic upbringing, convent day school (though mother not a Catholic).
Conscientious about religious duties all her life. (One reason we brothers went to Catholic school, though our dad not a Catholic).
From school, shop assistant rising to major branch manager of smallish grocery chain specialising in Cape dried fruit. Several of her sisters followed her into this firm. Very deft at giving prices and change and wrapping packages.
Married Rolf 1934; and moved to Johannesburg - a new, brash, rapidly growing city without mountains, sea or history, and a different population mix from the familiar Cape - and was unhappy. But settled after involvement in Church work, her own house, and first child. A lifetime's devotion to home and family followed.
She prided herself on giving her family food that was abundant, tasty and nutritious, even on a short budget. Excellent if cautious cook - baking, pickling and preserving.
A bit of a martyr to her housewife role, and emotionally undemonstative, shy, retirng, self-effacing, and unadventurous in some ways. Yet a highly effective manager and organiser. Headed high-powered "Ladies' Committee" that raised vast sums for school. Took ordinary fetes, jumble sales and the like in her stride.
Voracious if undiscerning reader of novels (at least four a week) - though not cowboys, seafaring tales or war adventures. Never tired of Agatha Christie.
Health generally good even when old. Kept her own flat with very little outside assistance to within months of her death, at 88, of old age in 1997.
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