This was the only time Pops was to meet his daughters daughter. His granddaughter Arwen. For just ten days they spent time together, playing tickle monster and three little piggies with her toes, making her giggle, chortle and shower him with love and gummy grins. Dirk and Carina spoke virtually every day, or every other …
Pops spun this street performer some compelling tale that ended in the guy handing over his sword. Charmingly disarming?
Fundisa. Teacher. Dirk lost his sight in his early 40’s. By the time he turned 50 he had started his own company supplying disability software, was teaching IT skills for Johannesburg City Council and shortly after secured a job at Wits University running the IT lab for students with additional mobility needs. Latterly he worked …
Pops in his element visiting Dover castle, tunnels and the white cliffs.
Pops and Caz at the Amarvati Buddhist Retreat circa 2010. So much admiration and respect for Pops. He loved role playing the meditative apprentice monk while here, an amused contemplative expression on his face as he did walking meditation around the quadrangle, his white stick gently tapping. For the next decade he listened avidly to …
Pops photo Montage 1940 – 1990’s This Neil Diamond song conjures vivid and emotional memories. It was a time when Dirk and Theo Diffenthal were firm friends larking about, singing Neil Diamond songs and beep-bopping to Elvis, with the kids all running riot at house parties. It was a time of exuberance and excess. And …
Picture Montage of Pops in the Noughties. The last 30 years of Dirk’s life was devoted to teaching IT skills to students with a range of mobility and ability challenges. He was much loved by his pupils, having an empathetic nature given his own loss of vision. Pops travelled to the UK twice over this …
Dirk found warmth, love and companionship for 5 years with Elsa. She cared for him, buoying him up and believing in him. He cared for her all through her cancer treatment. Elsa then moved away to be closer to family during her end of days. They had a lot of fun, frolics and giggles together, …
