Tributes after death of Edwin September
Tributes from friends and colleagues spoke volumes about the life and times of Dr Edwin September after the man known to many as a gentle giant died last week.
September, who suffered from motor neuron disease, died on Monday last week at the age of 66 and his funeral was held in Salsoneville on Saturday.
His wife, Kitty, said he had accepted the fact that he was ill and never let it put a dampener on his spirit.
“He could not play sport, but that did not stop him from doing what he wanted in his daily life.
“He was not impatient at all, despite his illness and he never once complained.
“He was very involved in the church, to which he dedicated his life,” she said.
September was known most notably for his more than 15-year contribution to the medical fraternity in the city.
He was an avid sportsman and played football, golf, tennis and snooker, among others.
Friend and fellow tennis player Sharit Bennett said he had been a talented sportsman who learnt very quickly.
“He was an academic first and foremost, and had it not been for that, he would have excelled at many, if not all, the sports in which he participated.” Bennett said.
“He was so health conscious, ate correctly and trained regularly, but unfortunately, we cannot choose what happens to us, but he will be fondly remembered for his contribution to both the sport he played and the medical field.”
A general practitioner with the Eastern Cape Independent Practitioners Association, September was instrumental in the setting up of the casualty unit at Mercantile Hospital, and also played a big role in the expansion of the unit.
The association’s healthcare head, Dr Jeff Govender, said September had been a great teacher who was always ready to assist, be it patients or fellow doctors.
He described September as a highly skilled professional who was competent, diligent, focused, and dedicated to bettering the lives of others.
Govender said the association’s healthcare organisation had a contractual partnership with Mercantile Hospital to provide the doctors on duty at the casualty unit, in addition to managing the general functioning of the unit.
“He was passionate about serving patients, healing and was especially passionate about the casualty environment, emergency medicine in terms of disease and trauma – the most knowledgeable in the organisation.
“We don’t have an equivalent with his level of skill and competency,” Govender said.
He said the loss would leave a massive void in the organisation, which would host a memorial service in honour of September at which invited guests and their spouses would celebrate his life.
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