Sunday 29 April 2018

CTARC Peter Breytenbach Silent Key - 7 Mar ‘18

It is with sadness that we must announce news of the passing of OM Peter Breytenbach / ZS1ADP, whose key fell silent on 7 March 2018. His late wife Sylvia had preceded him on 25 August 2017. News of Peter's passing was read out on the CTARC bulletin this morning, 28 April 2018 and a moment's silence was held.

It was Peter who put Dennis / ZS1AU in contact with Chuck Brady / N4BQW when he arrived in Cape Town in November 2000 to set off on the 3Y0C DxPedition to Bouvet Island. Dennis was the Cape Town link for Chuck on that adventure. It was also Peter who assisted Deon Irwin (then ZR1DQ, now ZS1ZL) to make the first CW contact from a ZR prefix call sign to Bouvet. For his assistance, Chuck handed over his famous spider beam antenna to Peter on his return to Cape Town. (This information via ZS1AU and www.qsl.net)

Peter had an interesting life, working as a mechanic for the Cape Town Traffic Department. Later on he ran his own bike shop in Milnerton.

He was resident in Bothasig, but his latter years were spent in Paarl.

Being by his own description something of a sports fanatic, his interests included Rugby, Soccer, Weight Training and Cycling; he took part in the Argus Cycle Tour. He was also a keen walker, making regular circuits at Canal Walk.

We extend our condolences to his family and friends.

R. I. P.