Former Herald production manager Wally Archer mourned
Wally played a key role at the newspaper for many years.
Former South Coast Herald production manager Wally Archer died in Australia on December 20, aged 80.
In a heartfelt tribute, his oldest son Scott said Wally had lost his courageous fight against cancer.
“He was a father, grandfather, brother, best friend, hero and all round top bloke. He passed away peacefully, and leaves a massive hole in the lives of so many,” said Scott.
Wally was born in Amanzimtoti in 1945, spending his childhood on the South Coast in Umtentweni and Port Shepstone.
He was the youngest of four, having two brothers, Henry and Dennis, and sister Margie.
He spent his teenage years on a farm in Izingolweni, did his schooling in Port Shepstone High (as a boarder) and thereafter his national service.
Once his army days were over, Wally moved to Underberg and had a variety of jobs, including as a barman at the Underberg hotel, which was where he met Carole.
They were married at the Old Fort Road chapel in Durban in 1968 and moved to live in Durban, where Scott was born in 1970.
Wally and Carole moved back to the South Coast shortly thereafter, settling in Sunwich Port, and Wally started at the Herald as a cartoonist.
Another son, Greg, was born in 1973.
Wally stayed with the Herald until retirement around 2010, finishing up as production manager, a position he held for many years.
In a deadline driven environment he seldom lost his cool, but was known to ‘breakdance’ when pages were running late.
He became an institution, a name synonymous with the Herald.
He was the inspiration behind the Wally competition, with his skilfully drawn caricatures most popular among readers.
Wally’s final years at the Herald were tinged with some sadness as Carol died in December 2006.
After retirement he pottered around a bit, before finally relenting to his sons’ requests for him to make the move across the ocean to Australia.
In 2017 he moved to Perth and, closer to sons and grandchildren, enjoyed some of the happiest days of his life.
Wally had a fantastic sense of humour and a knack for a well-crafted joke.
“I have a haircut twice a year, whether I need it or not,” he would say.
He could fish, make his own wine, brew his own beer, grow vegetables, and play the guitar.
His favourite pastimes included spending time with family, music, history, the outdoors, cooking and gardening.
He had a quiet, but firm faith, spending many hours reading the Bible and studying scripture.
But above all, he will be remembered for his kindness and love for his family and friends.
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