Tribute to Derrick Geyer and Gordon Royffe

 

I would like to pay tribute to my brother who was my best friend and to Gordon who was like a younger brother to me.

Gordon Royffe:  11th January 1972   - 15th June 2007

Gordon’s achievements as a karate practitioner were outstanding and he conducted his life in the same way. He was loved and respected by everyone in the karate fraternity that knew him, both in South Africa and all over the world.

He represented his country on numerous occasions and he did this with pride. Being his coach and teacher for many years I often witnessed his courage as a fighter in tournament and in the dojo. Gordon was a role model and a valued team member by his mates in the South African squad. It was due to all these qualities and his integrity that Gordon was recently promoted as one of the directors of JKA Karate in South Africa.

I feel very honoured to have had Gordon as a friend, he has enriched my life and the wonderful memories I have of him I will always treasure. The close bond that our Friday morning golf group shared was one that I will never forget.

Click Here to view a Slideshow in memory of Gordon.

Derrick Geyer: 21st September 1947 – 15th June 2007

When Derrick and I lost our eldest brother in a skydiving accident we bonded together in a very special way, we became as tight as two brothers could become, from that time on we did everything together and we looked out for each other.

Derrick was the reason that I started karate and this common lifelong passion afforded us so many exciting adventures together. I regard us as blessed to have been able to share so much in one lifetime.

Some of my greatest memories I have are of gasshukus we went on, overseas tours and competitions we fought in. Possibly the highlight of these karate memories was when we prepared and graded together for our 7th Dans in Tokyo. Derricks fighting spirit always impressed and inspired me, he possessed a never give up attitude both on and off the karate floor and was never afraid to stand up for something he felt was wrong or unfair.

Derrick was a senior karate exponent who had many successes in the competitive karate arena, captaining and couching his country and building karate bridges with people from all around the world. He represented South Africa for the first time at the 1975 World Championships in Long Beach California. He was one of the senior referees of the World Karate Confederation. and the Japan Karate Association.

Derrick had a great sense of humour, he enjoyed life and had a fantastic way of bringing people together in friendship. I miss Derrick very much.

Click Here to view a Slideshow in memory of Derrick.

 

I thank God for the lives of Gordon Royffe and Derrick Geyer

 

 Keith Geyer