Tribute to Peter Niddrie

The long awaited District First Aid course had started that Saturday morning and I was in a bookshop in Tokai, planning to visit the course later in the day when the phone rang. Looking at the caller I knew that it was a problem of some sort, given that the caller was Jonathan who was helping Peter run the course and that he would only phone me with news that required my personal intervention. I was not prepared for the news that he would impart – who would be prepared to be told that our District Commissioner, colleague and friend, Peter Niddrie, had suffered a massive heart attack and had passed away on the first aid course at Gilpine. Within hours the news had travelled the length and breadth of the scout community in South Africa – scouters in Gauteng were messaging me with condolences and seeking confirmation.

Peter was a man who lived his life in service – Rotary and then scouts. Scouts in so many facets that it is impossible to list them all. District Commissioner of the Liesbeek District, Committee Member and Camp Chief at the Cederberg Senior Scout Adventure, assistant for the SA contingent of the World Scout Jamboree and many more endless acts of kindness and assistance that, now that he is gone, we remember more vividly.

I first encountered Peter when I attended my first District meeting – something that 1st Claremont had largely been absent from over the past few years. Within a short space of time Peter became, not a hindrance, but a key shoulder to lean on to answer questions and provide guidance. His evident kindness and wisdom and his willingness to give of his time and expertise meant that Peter was a man worthy of respect – it was impossible to not see that this was a person whose true object was to assist. Honesty and integrity shone through and his enthusiasm for first aid was simply disarming.

In the following 10 or so years, my interactions with Peter grew. He became, not only the District Commissioner, but a friend and close colleague over multiple interactions in multiple forums. He was willing not only to give advice but to listen to my complaints and general futuristic and often wishful thinking without complaint. Not only for me but for many unit leaders in the Liesbeek District, he became an essential part of our scout lives – a solid and reliable, always available presence with wise words and a sympathetic ear.

Peter had stated his intention to step down as District Commissioner having been in the position for more than a decade. He was looking forward to taking a “break” from scouts by which he meant that he would continue to run First Aid courses – 14 weekends a year – and be on the Adventure Committee and doubtless he would have ended up assisting on many other matters. A lifetime of service is a habit hard to break. In the end he passed doing things he loved – doing first aid, helping others, giving of himself to make the world a better place.

His passing at the age of 63 robbed everyone of something. Lynda and his sons of a husband and father; scouters of our District Commissioner; for many of us a wise mentor; for others a friend. Some of the 1st Claremont scouters were privileged to attend his memorial service and it was a chance to say goodbye to an exceptional man and and a great servant of scouting. Though we have had time to say goodbye, still I have this temptation to talk to Peter about some issue. He could be just there – at the other end of the phone or Whatsapp – with a ready ear, wise words and a subtle jest.

Ave atque Vale