Mr Fred Coker

Mr Fred Coker, one of South Peninsula’s greatest sons, passed away of a heart attack on Thursday 1 February 2007 at Constantiaberg Hospital, fittingly close to the school to which he had given the better part of his life. Below are some tributes paid by former students of his.

My dealings with Mr Coker can be divided into 2 parts – as a student of his, and then as a colleague and friend. In both cases, but especially when I taught with him, what shone through was his total commitment to whatever he was doing at the time. His enthusiasm and innovation inspired many a student and colleague, and his sense of humour endeared him to all. His credo – “Teach a little, test a little, hit a little” (although the last part is no longer applicable nowadays!) – will always be remembered. His leadership of his beloved Mimosa house inspired many a budding athlete and led to many a victory.

But Mr Coker was far more than ‘just a Biology teacher’. A highly intelligent man – he excelled as a student at SP and at UCT – he was widely read, both of non-fiction and of fiction, with the world of forensics satisfying his love of crime fiction and of science. He loved jazz music, supporting local acts, and his knowledge of cinema was highly impressive.

The SP community has lost an irreplaceable member.

Fred Coker, rest in peace.  

Barry Saunders

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This is sad news indeed. I remember being in a biology class where Mr. Coker tried to encourage us by saying that our learning must be like "an explosion" and he would emphasise the "explooooooszhun" and have a big smile on his face when he said it because he knew we were giggling at him - we thought he was crazy!                     

On the sports field as well when he coached us he said our release into the long jump, javelin or discus throw, whatever we were doing, must be like "an explosion" as he would say in his funny animated way. What a loss. Mr Coker's biology classes ranked amongst the best lessons that I received at SP.

Catherine WynSculley (formerly Wyngaard)

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I am so saddened to hear of Fred Coker's passing away.  He was indeed a man above all men.

I have such vivid memories of him teaching me Biology in what was then Std 9 and Matric. His teaching methods are legendary and I still use some of them in my teaching today.  "Up the xylem, down the phloem that's the way the foodstuffs roam", is one that sticks in my mind still.  I remember him taking our class to Silvermine to learn about fungi and moss and his agile fit body as he demonstrated the clinging movements of hydra to our enthralled     class of the likes of Cliffie Jacobs, Andre Africa, Jasmine Davids and Jean Dick.

When I started teaching at SP in 1981, I worked in the Science department and I relied on his immense wisdom. I regarded him as a mentor and teacher.  As a colleague he was always filled with stories of all kinds of everything and to a young green teacher I thought of him as a world authority on all subjects.

Later I had the privilege of calling him my friend when we often got together at Patrick [Johannes]’s house for a braai, a drink and a chat.  Nina Simone was one of his favourite singers and he was very critical of what youth today call 'music'.  I loved being in his company and I remember at one of Patrick's get-togethers, on one of my trips back to Cape Town, how Fred, who had just come back from Amsterdam, entertained us with all of his quirky stories.

Fred was always busy with something interesting and he never forgot about me. He always sent his best wishes with my mom and dad when he met them in the supermarket where he and Mr Ravens would go shopping together. That meant much to me.

One line of poetry springs to mind when I think of Fred Coker,  -"I am become a name"                                                                                                                                        (Lord Alfred Tennyson)

So a sad farewell to one of  the South Peninsula family. Teacher, mentor, colleague, friend.                                   My sincere condolences to the South Peninsula community and to the family of the late Fred Coker.

Lynn Gray (Thomas)

Perth,  Australia                       

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I'm really sorry to hear about the passing of Mr Coker. Pradeep, my cousin sent me the e-mail today after telling me about the shocking news on Saturday evening.

I was inspired by Mr Coker to become a Biology teacher myself and spoke about him on more than one occasion to my students. Besides being my Biology teacher, he was also our House master in Mimosa where we came first for three years in a row during my time at SP. I remember him telling us the day before we had the interhouse, all of us mattered (which was important to me as I was not the greatest of the athletes around!) and then he mentioned that whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability. Even if it buttering a slice of bread, do it to the best of your ability. He believed in all of us and that we all could reach our own potential. In my matric year, he wrote in my diary, "Bring in new ideas, treat them all royally for one of them may be King". I will never forget that as it spoke to the acceptance of all ideas and the tolerance and respect that we have to nurture within ourselves. 

May his soul rest in everlasting peace.

Jaywant Parbhoo

Class of 1979

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Dunno where I'd be today is it was not for a teacher like Mr Coker.

Lesley-Ann De Wet (Pretorius)                                                                                                                    1987 matric

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All teachers at SP played a role ... and those in primary school as well ... can’t forget them. I remember Mr. Coker burning his hand trying to demonstrate the effect of magnesium strip in air ... it was a funny chemistry period.   Prayers go out to his family

 Khaalid Karlie

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To the Coker Family and South Peninsula Senior Secondary High School

I often reflect about my time growing up in SA.  SP plays an integral part of that which has prepared me for my future life.  Mr Coker brings fond memories and that of respectability. Teachers like the Fred Cokers of this world were often more than prescribed curriculum deliverers - they were solidly committed to ensuring a better quality of life for many of us.

My thoughts are with the Coker family and also an expression of appreciation to Mr Coker for making such an invaluable contribution to this institution and to society as a whole in South Africa during a very challenging time.

Graduate of 1982

Craig Knowles                                                                                                                                          Toronto, Canada

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 Mr Coker was my Std 9 Biology teacher at SP in 1973. Our classroom was the room opposite the staffroom today. I will never forget a class test on the locust, 25 marks. I studied hard and the next day Mr Coker read out the marks. He started with the lowest mark and worked up to the top. My name was not read and I thought perhaps he didn't get my paper. Then he read out the top mark, 24 out of 25, and it was my name that he read out.

I will never forget that day! I obtained a diploma in teaching at Hewat in 1977 with majors in English, Science and Mathematics, and a BA degree majoring in English from UCT in 1990. But my pet subject was and always will be Science because of that day in Grade 9B.

Today I am the principal at Heathfield Primary and I still teach Science to our grade 7 class/es. I am proud of my lab at our school. I am a very passionate teacher, just ask any of my ex-pupils who have attended or are now attending SP, or ask my eldest son who matriculated at SP in 2005, and my one son who is at SP now in Grade 9. And if you were to ask my two boys what is their favourite subject, they will say Science.

And it all started that day at SP in Std 9B in 1973.

Today, what makes a great teacher is the mark they leave on their pupils. If you can inspire one pupil to always give of his or her best, and to overcome mediocrity, then you have succeeded as a great teacher, as a truly remarkable person.

I often bumped into Mr Coker in Blue Route mall, and we would chat about current movies on the circuit. I met his son Michael when we both played tennis at Princeton in Wynberg.

Finally, I had the honour of teaching Mr Coker's daughter, Norma I think it is, at our school in Std 5. I trust that I taught her science to the best of my ability, with great passion and professionalism, as her dad had taught me.

SP has lost a great son, but his legacy lives on in my heart!

Andre Pretorius

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So sorry to hear about Fred Coker. I remember him as our first Matric prize-giving speaker in 1996 when it was held in the hall at Musgrave Park. An inspirational man I was fortunate to have had as a colleague.

Milton van Wyk

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Family of Mr. Coker, SP students and Alumni 

Sarah and I wish to express our sympathies to all related to Mr. Coker. We will miss him greatly. He was one of the great inspirations in my life. As I think of him now, I recall his passion to teach. I also recall that unmistakable singing cadence in his speech. I can hear it now. I was very lucky to see him at a jazz club when I was over a few years ago. My life has been blessed with meetings with remarkable people. Thank you Mr. Coker. May the Great Spirit bless your soul.   

Sarah and Michael Clothier                                                                                                                         Canada

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A friend of mine, Gwynneth Albertyn, whom I met at SP, informed me of our loss this afternoon.  We reminisced about Mr Coker and his  presence and we laughed.

A moment that will always stand out in my head is at the time when I  lost my father.  I had just started writing matric finals, and was  busy writing the English First Paper.  I don't remember writing the  exam, but I do remember the tears that soaked my page, and Mr Coker's  comforting hand on my shoulder.  At a time when many didn't understand  the pain of losing a father, Mr Coker offered comfort in a silent  manner -- a manner we didn't really know him for.

He will live on in our hearts, our minds and even our souls, for in  being who he was, he taught us the greatest lesson- be yourself and  enjoy being you!!!

Aluta Continua, Mr Coker, your soul has found peace.

Joy Owen

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It is truly sad to hear of Mr Coker's passing.  He never taught me, but I had heard of him long before I got to SP - always described with some sense of awe...

Even though he never taught me, he often gave me books to read or we'd chat about some scientific theory or the other. 

SP has indeed lost a legendary son

Prakash Parbhoo                                                                                                                                      Matric 1975

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Mr Coker did not teach me but I do remember him as Mimosa housemaster and then of course he was one of my dad’s ex-students.

They stayed in touch even after they had both left the school and, as you may be aware, my father visited him in hospital last week.

Nohra Moerat

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It is with sadness that I learn of the loss of another influence in my life. Mr Coker is remembered by me for his enthusiasm, commitment to his students and dedication. But my mental picture of him is of laughing and sharing a joke with my Dad [former principal, the late Ralph C. Hepburn]. As a Mimosan,  I also saw his drive for excellence both in the classroom and on the playing field.

Vale, Mr Coker.

Myrna Hepburn

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Deeply saddened by Mr Coker's passing.

Although he was not my teacher in Biology I always felt cheated because the other students had so much fun in his classes.

Astrid Knowles (Simpson)

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I am indeed touched and saddened by the passing on of a great teacher, sterling role-model and an educational giant! I was educated during a time when our educators were called TEACHERS because of the passion, commitment and dedication with which they approached teaching.

My life has certainly been influenced positively by Mr Coker - and the calibre of the South Peninsula teaching fraternity. Doing things the SP-way was always a priority - and now over 20 years later, I'm reaping the fruits of their labour.

My deepest condolences to the school. His life, journey, illness & death have not been in vain as I am certainly enriched by it.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I am who I am today because of all of you. May the dear soul of Fred Coker rest eternally in God's love - well done faithful one!

               "May today there be peace within. May you all trust God that you are all exactly where                                                                                 you are meant to be.

May you never forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use the gifts you have received - and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you all be content knowing that you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, praise and love.

It is there for each one of us.

                                     (Mother Theresa)  

Marlow Valentine

SP Student: 1981-1985

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I remember the smiles he always gave, especially when we gave incorrect answers to questions in the Bio classes.

‘Dangeroussh!’ - was his response at times.

I also remember his “ssssshhhhh” sounds when pronouncing the ”S” sound.

Once, someone wrote” Busssssshster, where’s the Dusssssshter” on the board. (‘Buster’– a class mate – ‘where’s the duster?’) It took me some time to get the joke, but when I did, I burst out laughing. The class was quiet, but when I laughed, could only point to the board as I rolled with laughter. I’m glad to say, Mr. Coker also found it amusing.

A really good teacher I’ll never forget.

Brian Williams                                                                                                                                   Queenstown                                                                                                                                           Eastern Cape