Prof Van Wijk (1935)

Obituary

Pretoria - Former vice-chancellor and principal of the University of SA (Unisa) Theo van Wijk has died, the university said on Monday.
Van Wijk, 92, died early on Sunday morning.
According to his wife Cilna, Van Wijk was a reserved man, who had a formidable intellect which was visible up until his death.
The university said Van Wijk, who had a twin sister, was born in the Western Cape.
He and his sister were the youngest of eight children.
His father was a minister of religion who twice held the post of moderator of the Cape synod of the Dutch Reformed Church.
His mother was a member of the well known Murray family of Graaff-Reinet.
Van Wijk attended Rhodes College and obtained a master's degree with distinction.
After teaching for a few years, he began his career at Unisa in 1948 rising up the ranks to principal and vice chancellor - a position he held from 1972 to 1988.
He was also chancellor of the university for a term.
His funeral will be held on Thursday March 19 at 11:00 at the NG church in Van Wouw street in Groenkloof, Pretoria.
He is survived by his wife, Cilna, their children and eight grandchildren.
SAPA
16/03/2009 20:01 - (SA)