Eugene Grobler

Obituary

** Please join us in celebrating Eugene’s life at a memorial service on 7 December at: https://vimeo.com/event/5535879. The service will start 5:00pm Adelaide time (Johannesburg: 8:30am | Canberra: 5:30pm) **

Eugene was born on 1 February 1949 in Port Elizabeth (known today as Gqeberha). His parents were Bert and Bonnette (nee Vosloo). Eugene was the eldest of three children, and is survived by his sisters Barbara and Martelle.

He spent his childhood by the sea. He and his family fished and swam at Port Elizabeth’s idyllic beaches. In his teenage years the family moved to Bloemfontein. There he finished school and completed his compulsory military service.

Eugene followed his passion for history and political science at the Rand Afrikaans University in Johannesburg. It was a fortuitous time – there he met Jireh, and they were married on 6 January 1973, a marriage of more than 52 years.

Soon after their wedding, Eugene and Jireh set off for Lisbon, their first of eight assignments: in Brazil, Madeira (to open a consulate), Ciskei (a ‘homeland’ under the previous South African regime), Japan, Australia, the Philippines (to open another diplomatic mission) and Israel.

Eugene was keenly aware of his role in representing his country. As the country transitioned to democracy in the early 1990s he embraced the optimism of the time and worked hard to attract investment and trade interest in the new South Africa. His commitment to the ideals of a democratic South Africa was a source of deep motivation for him.

Diplomacy was only one of his occupations: the other was being a father. His steady presence in their lives gave them the security and belonging that shaped their childhood. He extended that same depth of love as a father-in-law to Suzanne and Lydia. He loved them both dearly and was so pleased to have welcomed them in his family. And Hannah, Ezra and Hazel could not have hoped for a gentler, kinder and more loving grandfather.

We remember Eugene for his genuine spirit of friendship. He loved people, and his good humour and curiosity ensured he made friends easily. Even after Eugene and Jireh had moved to Adelaide and his mind became increasingly foggy, his warmth and natural ability to connect made him new friends. His exercise group Men’s Moves was a weekly highlight and the friends he made there and at Trinity Church were a source of joy for him.

He had a strong faith in God, which formed the cornerstone of his life. It guided and shaped who he was and the way he served others. He lived with quiet conviction, demonstrating through his actions the grace, humility, and compassion that Christ inspired in him.

Despite his illness, Eugene remained the kind and caring father, husband and friend we all loved. He enjoyed social connections and even towards the end cracked jokes and followed the news. His love and friendship was always apparent to his family, and to his doctors, nurses and carers.