Springs loses legendary attorney
Deeply mourned by his family, his wife Cleone, children Christelle and Richard Stone, Phillip and Ingrid van Blerk, Nico and Nicole van Blerk, grandchildren Lea, Killian, Matt and Cleone (jnr).
Springs residents are mourning the loss of Phillip ‘Phil’ van Blerk.
The 80-year-old lost his fight with pneumonia on June 11.
“He served his community with great distinction. And he was an excellent lawyer,” said Phillip de Jager, one of van Blerk’s colleagues.
The pair met some 54 years ago when their wives taught together at Valhalla Primary School in Pretoria.
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Theyran De Jager, Kruger and van Blerk Attorneys. Jannie Kruger died in 2019.
“We had a wonderful relationship and partnership right until the end.
“We were the first law firm in the East Rand to article a black man in 1975.
“I am very proud to have been associated with a man like him.
“He was very accomplished in his career,” added de Jager.
Van Blerk served in the governing bodies of four schools in Springs, for three of which he was the chairperson.
The Strubenvale resident was also one of the longest-serving members of the Springs Small Claims Court.
He also served on the Springs City Council.
“His family will miss his care and love.
“He was the kind of person who could not stand seeing any divisions and unfairness among people,” said Richard Stone, his son-in-law.
Van Blerk was married to Cleone.
He had three children and four grandchildren and enjoyed nature walks in his spare time.
He was laid to rest on June 23.
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