Professor of Accounting, Head of Department of Accounting, Registrar of Finance and Professor Emeritus JK Black passed away peacefully in his sleep on 19 May 2020 at the age of 87.

Originally from Cape Town, Keith and his wife Marge spent some years in Zambia, where he was involved in a professional accountancy practice before moving to Grahamstown.  Appointed as Head of Department of Accounting in 1977, Keith joined at a time the Department was struggling with limited status in the accounting profession and a general low mood amongst staff.  Within a short period of time, Keith transformed the layout of the Department for more efficient and effective working, its staff composition as he recruited young and talented CAs, established Chairs with subvention from the profession and a line of every large and several second tier accounting firms arriving on campus during the annual graduate placement programme to recruit students into the profession.  Indeed, the results in the Department improved to the point where at postgraduate level they matched those of any of the university departments participating in the CA scheme.  And this despite the fact that, with the enthusiastic approval of Vice-Chancellor Dr Derek Henderson, the policy was to pass any student who the Department believed had a reasonable chance of passing the CA entrance examination.  Keith never countenanced passing only those students who had the best chance of passing.  Colleagues at the time regard Keith’s role as being highly successful in "steadying the ship" and guiding it to a position of formidable reputation both within the institution and beyond.

As Head of Department, Keith is described as “the best boss any person could wish for”.  He would install a new staff member in a study, give him or her a couple of courses, and then leave them to get on with it while he fought their battles in the corridors of power.  He never visibly checked on staff, but kept his eyes and ears open in the passages and would be quick to act, in the most gentlemanly fashion, if he perceived a problem.  This seldom happened, as his appointment skills were well honed.

Complementing his leadership and academic role, Keith was an exceptionally good administrator, and was valued both within his own department as well as in the wider University community as a gracious, hard-working and thoughtful colleague.

Keith was much-loved by his colleagues.  So much so, that at times they would pull his leg.  For example, he was an inveterate bowler and was very good at it.  Then every Monday morning he would impose on staff a shot by shot description of the weekend’s matches.  Eventually staff rebelled and said “we love you and we’re delighted that you enjoy your bowls, but enough now”.  He was crestfallen, but took it well. Happily, Val Mills, his outstanding secretary, was also a very good bowler, so they began exchanging shots on Monday mornings instead.  Powers of observation at work, Prof Rob Jackson discovered that Keith would keep a Bar One in his desk drawer for sustenance when he worked in the evenings.  Demonstrating similar affection for Keith, Rob would hide the chocolate and lead Keith on a treasure hunt with clues all round his study.

In recognition of his contribution to the academy, on retirement, Keith was accorded the title Professor Emeritus.

Not content to complete his contribution at the University as academic leader of a successful Department, Keith spent his final two years as Registrar: Finance adding value in the wider context of the institution.

Friends describe Keith as one of those who, once they become your friend, are friends for life.  A fitting tribute to Keith by friends who now mourn his death.

Keith leaves his wife Marge, four children and five grandchildren.

Last Modified: Wed, 16 Sep 2020 17:05:54 SAST