Alberton surgeon Dr Wimpie Jansen van Vuuren remembered for his dedication to patients and family

Dr Wimpie Jansen van Vuuren, who passed away on October 8 at the age of 58, leaves behind his wife, Rene Jansen van Vuuren, and five children.

He is remembered for his dedication to his patients, his profession and his family.

His wife, Rene, and longtime colleague Esna Richards remember him as a passionate surgeon whose commitment to medicine extended far beyond working hours.

Wimpie’s interest in medicine began at an early age. According to Rene, his mother recalled that he played doctor with his sister’s dolls from age three, even pretending to operate on them.

Born in Johannesburg, he spent part of his childhood in Cape Town before returning to Johannesburg. He later studied in Bloemfontein and spent a year in Pietersburg before returning to Bloemfontein to specialise as a surgeon.

He began his career in private practice after assisting Dr Karl Bass at Clinton Hospital in Alberton. On August 1, 1999, he bought Bass’s practice and began practising as a general surgeon.

The practice continued for 27 years before moving to Netcare Alberton in April 2022.

For Rene, her husband’s dedication to medicine was inseparable from who he was.

Richards recalled that the practice operated according to what he called an ‘open-door policy’. Anyone who came through the door would receive assistance that day.

“He was extremely dedicated. It was about the patient for him,” Richards said.

According to Rene, he would leave home at about 05:30 to do his rounds, sometimes returning only in the evening.

Even then, his work did not necessarily end when he arrived home.

“He was a family man. Soft heart, big heart, loving, caring, very strict,” she said.

A devoted husband and father

Away from the hospital, Wimpie enjoyed outdoor activities, visiting the sea in Cape Town and annual hunting trips to the Kalahari, a tradition he maintained for approximately 25 to 26 years.

He also loved family braais, cooking and taking his family out for breakfast or lunch.

One of Rene’s most treasured memories is the relationship he shared with their 10-year-old daughter.
Despite his demanding schedule, he made a point of calling her before and after school.

According to Rene, if he was operating when she tried to reach him, he would return her call.

“He just loved his little daughter. He loved her; she was his own life,” Rene said emotionally.

Rene described Wimpie as a man who loved his family unconditionally and always wanted the best for them.

She acknowledged that being married to a doctor meant accepting that his patients would often need him at any hour.

“You have to share him with the world,” she said, explaining that his passion for medicine meant he could not simply switch off at the end of the day.

Despite the demands of his profession, his love for his family never changed.

A mentor who put patients first

Richards, who worked alongside Wimpie for many years, described him as a mentor who played a significant role in shaping her professional life.

She first encountered him in 2002, when she was a student. After she expressed disappointment about not being selected for theatre work, he helped arrange training for her and other colleagues to scrub for him.

She subsequently worked with him in theatre for nine years before later joining his practice.

One of the lessons she remembers most clearly came after she experienced losing a patient during a resuscitation in theatre.

“I went outside, I cried my eyes out. It was very, very traumatic for me,” Richards recalled.

Wimpie went outside to speak to her and reminded her that medical professionals were not God, but instruments in God’s hands.

“That’s a very valuable life lesson I have learned from him,” she said.

Richards said his approach to patient care was characterised by dedication, regular follow-ups and ensuring patients received feedback on their treatment.

With a practice serving thousands of patients, he relied on a team that worked together to ensure people were attended to.

She also recalled an injured young rugby player whose treatment required repeated amputations. Years later, at Wimpie’s funeral, she learnt that the boy, who had been 13 at the time, had become a personal trainer and a Paralympic athlete.

Richards said Wimpie and members of his team had accompanied the child during transfers for further treatment, even rearranging their schedules to help him.

For her, the experience reflected his commitment to going the extra mile for his patients.

“He was an absolute mentor. What I know today, I have learned from that man,” she said.

Although strict and demanding at work, Richards said staff deeply respected and loved him.

A loss felt by patients and colleagues

Wimpie spent 86 days in intensive care after suffering a brain aneurysm, according to Rene. His family remained hopeful throughout the difficult period, drawing strength from their faith and prayers.

His passing has left his family, colleagues and patients grieving the loss of a doctor who was a constant presence in their lives.

Rene recalled that a patient who had been under his care for 27 years approached her after his death, asking where she would go and what she would do without him.

For Rene, his greatest personal achievement was his family, particularly the bond he shared with their youngest daughter.

Professionally, she pointed to the more than 33 000 patient files associated with his practice as a measure of the number of people reached through his work.

She hopes his patients, colleagues and the wider Alberton community will remember his passion for medicine and his loyalty.

Rene also expressed gratitude to Netcare and the colleagues who cared for him during his time in intensive care, acknowledging how emotionally difficult it was for medical staff to treat someone they had known and worked alongside for years.

“He’s our hero and a legend,” Richards said.

Wimpie was laid to rest on October 17.

Important notice

The practice announced that patient files would be available for collection at the rooms from October 12 until the end of November, between 09:00 and 14:00.

Patients collecting their own files must bring identification. Anyone collecting on behalf of another patient must bring written authorisation.