Jonny White   This is desperately sad, and I am so sorry for your loss.  Stef was the best of colleagues, and I was always reassured and pleased when I found out I would be working with him on a project.  He was a legend within NATS for his quiet authority, his expertise, and his commitment to the needs of others.  I can only imagine that his strengths would have been even clearer to you as his family.  We will miss him and thoughts and prayers are with you, and will remain with you, as we move forward. 

 Robert Westerberg   What terribly saddening news to hear and I hope that his family take some comfort from how well loved he was within the NATS community. Whilst I did not have the opportunity to work with him, I was frequently drawn into conversations with him (more often than not morphing into banter) when he occasionally visited our International Affairs team. Rest in Peace big man. 

 Simon Campbell-Gurry   I never had the opportunity to work with Stef but I would frequently see him outside the back of A block at the CTC. He was my sounding board when I needed a friend to talk to and I’m devastated to hear of his passing. A quiet but imposing chap, always listened and I'll miss that. My deepest condolences to his family.  

 Matthew Slade   Stef, I can’t really adequately express how much I’m going to miss your guidance, support and friendship. The department that you established offered me an opportunity which changed the course of my life; it gave me a route into a specialist role that I enjoy so much and the chance to be part of such a great team. I’ll be forever grateful.   The thought that in the years ahead there will be none of the planned post-retirement get togethers is very hard to bear, we’re just left with the memories of such a great friend, colleague and leader. The memories will stay with us though and remain precious.  Given the pain your passing has caused to your team at NATS I can only imagine the heartbreak for Frances, Jaco and Charl and my thoughts are with them.   

 Patrick Giles  Having occasionally worked with (though never alongside) Stef, I am truly saddened by this news and can only echo the above comments about how much Stef will be missed as both a colleague and an individual.  

 Jason Gill  I really can’t put words to how I felt when I heard of Stef’s passing.  Tears and absolute shock and sadness were how it manifested but the words just don’t seem to be enough, even now.  My first experience of Stef was working at Heathrow House and immediately I liked him.  His honesty, authority, loyalty, clear strength and ability to pull a team together was only enhanced by his ability to let you know if you were in the wrong too.  I honestly loved him for that.  Helping him achieve his vision in those early days of getting the team onto new technology and building the basis for all of the teams future successes was a real honour.  When we got to know each other better our shared military background and love of rugby only made me like him more.  We often ‘pulled up a sandbag’ and reminisced about our previous lives and the pride we both took in that, the banter was epic.  When NATS moved down south I saw less of Stef but when we caught up it always started with a strong handshake and ended with a long chat about what was going on, often putting the world to rights.  Stef was a giant, both personally and professionally.  He leaves a gaping hole at work that I don’t think anyone will be able to fill.  As much as I feel this as a colleague I honestly can’t begin to imagine how that feels as family.  Frances, Jaco and Charl please know that all of us that knew him have you in our thoughts and that he was loved by us too.  I hope you can take some of his strength to help you through these awful times.  Rest in Peace big man.  You have earned it, even if you were taken way too soon.

 Ed Butler   Incredibly difficult to find words to express how shocked and saddened I am to learn of Stef’s passing. He was someone I admired and always had time for whether it be a work or personal conversation. Stef brought about a bit of magic to the CTC office with a fantastic sense of humour and was one of the most respected managers I have ever come across, in part due to the fierce loyalty he had for his team.   He will be sorely missed but also remembered in the fondest of ways. My thoughts and sympathies are with his friends and family, Rest in Peace Stef. 

Chris Leeds  It was such sad news to hear of Stefs sudden passing. I worked closely with Stef very soon after taking a role based out of Heathrow House, at a time when the AIM/PDG teams were about to undergo a lot of technical change and our Business IT network was in the cross hairs!     As it's been said, Stef was gentle and relatively quiet, but you certainly felt it when you were on the wrong side of a problem or fell below his expectations. Not even something a likeminded South African could change with an 'in-joke' or slang, much to my disappointment at times!   He always had time to talk, no matter which corridor, stairwell or carpark you bumped into him - he would stop to talk. Stef leaves a great gap in the team, but an extremely capable team thanks to his leadership.     Thank you for pushing us and making us all want to be/do better. You'll be missed, Rest In Peace Stef.   

 Karl Dobson   It was a pleasure to work with Stef. His pragmatism and enthusiasm shone through and you’d find you’d always have time for him. He will be missed a great deal by all those that knew and worked with him. My heart felt sympathies to his family. 
Rhona Murphy  Shocked and saddened by this news. I knew Stef from the PDG/Qatar days & it was always a delight to catch up in recent years. My thoughts are with Stef’s family. I am so sorry for your loss. 

Sabita Sharma  This is really sad & shocking news . I remember Stef from when he first joined NATS & was based at the Heathrow Old Control Tower . He would often chat about his boys. My sympathy goes to his family at this very painful time. 

Tom Dixon  I met Stef shortly after starting at NATS and he was very welcoming. He was very warm and kind and we immediately got on very well. We would talk often – rarely about work! When we did his knowledge and ability shone through and he was very happy to give pointers and help a new person make connections and learn new things. It was always a pleasure to see him around the building or in Costa and chat. My condolences to Stef’s family and friends. He will be missed. 

Peter Rabot  I was extremely shocked and so saddened at Stef's passing. I only had the opportunity to meet him once in person and he had such a warm yet direct personality that will always be remembered. He always had a jolly demeanour when we spoke on line as well. My condolences and sympathies to Stef's family.  Rest in Peace Stef!  

Emma Lynch  Words can’t express the shock and sadness at hearing of Stef’s passing. I never had the chance to work with Stef directly but I used to bump into him frequently in the building as he headed for his mid-morning coffee and we always used to have a laugh and a joke (usually at my expense!)  A giant of a man in so many ways he was slightly terrifying but incredibly kind in equal measure. We owe him a lot for all his accomplishments over the years. He achieved so much and was respected for it – something which is evident from all of the other comments on this page. But whilst he leaves a big hole for us as his colleagues I can only imagine how it must feel for you as his family. Sending you love and strength at this incredibly difficult time - Rest in Peace Stef, it was a privilege to have known you. Thanks for the laughs xxx   

Sacha Rossi  I was very sorry to hear of Stef’s unexpected passing. I didn’t work extensively with Stef, but it was so obvious how competent, fair and straight talking he was. It was also apparent immediately how respected a leader he was. A great loss to NATS but even more so to his family and friends, my thoughts go out to them. 

Pete le Gros  I can’t remember the exact time I met and started working with Stef, but it was a long time ago. More recently we worked together again in Qatar. My memories are of a real gentle giant! Such a consistently calm and polite man, so professional and always helpful to everyone. And a great sense of humour – I always remember his comment when we saw a garden centre in the desert! So very sorry to hear this, and my thoughts and sympathy are with Stef’s family. Never forgotten. 

Kathy McColl  My condolences on this very sad news.  I only worked with Stef briefly but immediately it was clear what a great person he was. 

Nick Battisson  It was truly shocking to hear the news of Stef’s passing.  We had worked together for a number of years.  I always admired Stef’s passion for his work, he dedication to his team and professionalism.  The thing I will always remember is deep down he was a very kind person and cared greatly for the people he worked with.  My thoughts are with his family at this very sad time. 

Kerry Harris   I can only say what an honour it was to have worked with Stef. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word and we often used to talk about his homemade Bultong, Boerewors and South African goodies, as an ex South African he was almost like a member of the honorary SA family.  Stef had a presence about him, but he was also a very genuine and a soft soul, and would always put himself out to help others.   He will be missed. Sending our heartfelt wishes to you all, it was a privilege to know him  

Sarah Stacey  Such sad, sad news, worked with Stef in NSL, a quiet, giant of a man, with such authority and commitment to his team, although we didn’t always agree!  Will remember him with much fondness, and send my deep sympathy to his family and friends at this time of such great loss. 

Tracey Hyslop  I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Stef’s sudden passing. Stef was one of the first people I was introduced to when I joined NATS in 2016, him being from South Africa and myself from Zimbabwe, such an introduction made perfect sense!  We have crossed paths professionally many times over the years and worked more closely in recent years on commercial offerings managed through Stef and his team. Stef and his SA accent will be greatly missed! My deepest sympathies to Stef’s family, friends and work colleagues on their very sad loss.     
James Bentham  I have many fond memories of working with Stef. He was such a pleasure to work with and tremendously funny and stoic in the face of any problem. His hard stares were legendary!  We will miss him so much. 

Dan Johnson  I was shocked to hear the sad news about Stef. We spent many a break discussing rugby, military banter and African politics over a coffee when I was based at Heathrow House. A really genuine guy who will be missed. My condolences to his family.