Newcastle bids a final farewell to beloved dentist
Retired and renowned dentist, Doctor Japie Pienaar passed away in Somerset West.
Newcastle sadly lost one of its previous prominent residents on January 20.
Retired and renowned dentist, Doctor Japie Pienaar passed away in Somerset West. Before retiring, he served the community of Newcastle, plying his impeccable dentistry skills for more than 30 years.
Read: Town bids farewell to Jim McDermont
Dr Pienaar was born in 1933 in Bethal, Mpumalanga. He studied at the University of Witwatersrand, whereafter he practised in Amersfoort, Durban and Volkrust, before relocating to Newcastle in 1963.
Dr Pienaar married Rita, and they have three daughters and eight grandchildren. He was widowed in 2012. His brother-in-law, Theunis Botha, said the only things Dr Pienaar valued more than his career, were family and tranquility.
Mr Botha knew Dr Pienaar longer than 60 years, and described him as one of the best and caring dentists. Not only was he a perfectionist in his profession, but he
was also brilliant at restoring vintage cars, and his pride and joy was his DKW.
Wally Veldhuizen was a close friend of Dr Pienaar for 40 years. He said Dr Pienaar enjoyed the outdoors and basking in the beauties of Mother Nature, admiring bird life.
Both Mr Botha and Mr Veldhuizen said they would miss Dr Pienaar’s companionship. They admired his knowledge, dedication and kind heart. He never turned away someone in need and lived life with an open hand.
“In all the years I spent with him, his most important life lesson was always to brush your teeth,” reminisced Mr Botha.
Dr Pienaar retired 20 years ago, and relocated to Somerset West 10 years later, where his daughter, Karin Haasbroek, took care of him. His daughter, Margie Dowling thanked everyone who was part of his life and moulded him into the great person he was.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better father, and we are proud to have had the parents we did because they instilled morals and values within us, and always did their best,” she said.
Dr Pienaar’s funeral service will take place in the Utrecht NG Kerk on February 11 at 11am.
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