Former Herald motoring editor dies
Iain Hush was well known on the South Coast, where he lived for more than 10 years.
FORMER South Coast Herald reporter and motoring editor Iain Hush (75) died in Pinetown on Friday last week.
Iain, a well-known South Coast character and his first wife, Margot, who died some years ago, ran a popular restaurant in Southport before he joined the South Coast Herald staff. He was a valuable, enthusiastic, versatile and skilled member of the editorial team for 10 years before retiring, at the age of 60, in 1999.
During his time with the newspaper he was intimately involved in his South Coast community, working tirelessly to support the National Sea Rescue Institute, local service clubs, dog clubs, fishing clubs and organisations involved in conservation and animal welfare. Particularly interested in and knowledgeable about aviation, motoring and motor sports, he was a proud member of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists.
A socially-minded extrovert, he was a keen and vocal crusader for many charitable and social causes. One of his favourite hobby horses was road safety and he was constantly reminding his colleagues to drive defensively.
Iain’s general knowledge was formidable and he was well respected by his colleagues for his in-depth knowledge about amazingly varied subjects, ranging from history, literature and English grammar to aviation and engineering. He held strong opinions, which he never hesitated to expound, and never could resist a lively debate.
His beautifully modulated voice, with its trace of Scotland, the land of his birth, and his command of the English language, made him a much sought after public speaker, master of ceremonies and commentator. His colleagues were always amazed how broad his Scots accent became when he conversed with his countrymen.
He was always comfortable behind a microphone but it was at dog shows that he really shone, perhaps because he loved commentating at these events. It was through this interest that he met his second wife, Norma.
In the Herald newsroom, Iain is remembered for his outgoing personality, his outspokenness, his eccentricities, but most of all for his extreme kindness.
He leaves Norma, daughters Karen and Paula and grandchildren Jade and Samantha. Iain’s memorial service was held at Pinetown Methodist Church yesterday (Wednesday).
