Saturday, September 30, 2006
Tribute by Piet de Wet, Webber Wentzel Bowens
Harry Barker : A Tribute
by Piet de Wet, Webber Wentzel Bowens
I am privileged today to speak not only for myself and my wife Elaine, but also for the partners and staff of Webber Wentzel Bowens. Unfortunately, the partners and professional staff are away at an annual conference. Many of them would have liked to be here today.
I first met Harry in June 1953 when he was a partner of attorneys LeSeur De Jager & Barker. They had their offices on the 4th floor of His Majesty's Building in Commissioner Street, Johannesburg. At that time I worked for the Deputy State Attorney whose offices were also on the 4th floor. My office was adjacent to those of LeSeur De Jager & Barker. The partners and staff had to pass my office to go to the toilet, which enabled me to meet Harry and his whole staff, including a young lady whom Harry had engaged by the name of Elaine - to whom I was married in December 1995 and here she is now.
It was a coincidence that Harry and my mother were born on the same day, 10 June 1907.
In 1972 Harry joined Bowen Sessel & Goudvis which was later known as Bowens. I became more closely associated with Harry over all these years. I was a litigant and he was mainly involved in wills and deceased estates. He wrote a book on the Drafting of Wills and he also wrote articles from time to time in De Rebus, the monthly journal of the Law Society.
In 1994 Bowens amalgamated with Webber Wentzel and became Webber Wentzel Bowens. Harry, who was then aged 87 years, moved with us and continued his practice, although to a lesser degree.
Harry was truly a remarkable man. He walked upright without a walking stick. He drove his own motorcar until a few years ago. He frequently came to lunch at the office until a few years ago and later he only came in on Fridays. I sat next to him. He took part in discussions with partners and others and amazed me with his fantastic memory and widespread knowledge of events and dates and names. He was softly spoken. I never saw him angry.
He was a gentleman. I cannot remember seeing him at the office without a suit and tie. I was privileged to have been associated with him for a little over 50 years. It is with great sadness that everyone at Webber Wentzel Bowens and wives and friends who are here today have lost a great man. It is especially sad that he could not have celebrated his centenary.
Piet de Wet
Saturday, 9 September 2006
by Piet de Wet, Webber Wentzel Bowens
I am privileged today to speak not only for myself and my wife Elaine, but also for the partners and staff of Webber Wentzel Bowens. Unfortunately, the partners and professional staff are away at an annual conference. Many of them would have liked to be here today.
I first met Harry in June 1953 when he was a partner of attorneys LeSeur De Jager & Barker. They had their offices on the 4th floor of His Majesty's Building in Commissioner Street, Johannesburg. At that time I worked for the Deputy State Attorney whose offices were also on the 4th floor. My office was adjacent to those of LeSeur De Jager & Barker. The partners and staff had to pass my office to go to the toilet, which enabled me to meet Harry and his whole staff, including a young lady whom Harry had engaged by the name of Elaine - to whom I was married in December 1995 and here she is now.
It was a coincidence that Harry and my mother were born on the same day, 10 June 1907.
In 1972 Harry joined Bowen Sessel & Goudvis which was later known as Bowens. I became more closely associated with Harry over all these years. I was a litigant and he was mainly involved in wills and deceased estates. He wrote a book on the Drafting of Wills and he also wrote articles from time to time in De Rebus, the monthly journal of the Law Society.
In 1994 Bowens amalgamated with Webber Wentzel and became Webber Wentzel Bowens. Harry, who was then aged 87 years, moved with us and continued his practice, although to a lesser degree.
Harry was truly a remarkable man. He walked upright without a walking stick. He drove his own motorcar until a few years ago. He frequently came to lunch at the office until a few years ago and later he only came in on Fridays. I sat next to him. He took part in discussions with partners and others and amazed me with his fantastic memory and widespread knowledge of events and dates and names. He was softly spoken. I never saw him angry.
He was a gentleman. I cannot remember seeing him at the office without a suit and tie. I was privileged to have been associated with him for a little over 50 years. It is with great sadness that everyone at Webber Wentzel Bowens and wives and friends who are here today have lost a great man. It is especially sad that he could not have celebrated his centenary.
Piet de Wet
Saturday, 9 September 2006
