ON May 16, Paul Roux Dreyer from Somerset East celebrated his 92nd birthday behind his desk, hard at work as usual.
Sadly he passed away a few weeks later in Huis Silwerjare where he has been a resident for the past few years.
He was born in Adelaide in 1926 as the eldest of five children – three girls and two boys.
He met Margaret, his deceased wife, in East London and their union was blessed with eight children – six boys and two girls of whom only four are still alive.
He was an excellent accountant and a loyal and hard worker with a keen business sense.
For the past 20 years of his life, he has worked at Somerset Educational in Somerset East.
According to Mark Hynd, owner of Somerset Educational, when Dreyer started working there 20 years ago, “He taught me many things and he was the best business colleague I have ever had. He was a father and mentor to me.”
Despite a difficult life at times, he always had a cheerful smile and bright face.
“For a number of years now he has been wheelchair bound and struggled with ill health. However, his tenacity and work ethic assisted him in winning most of these battles and it was not long before he was back at his desk – pencil in hand and business papers and figures in front of him,” Hynd said.
“We were blessed through the solid foundations he laid in over 20 years of loyal service to our team and company,” said Malcolm Beech, manager of Somerset Educational.
He will be sorely missed by family, friends and colleagues.