SASOLBURG. – Dr Douglas Mervyn Kroon, well-known Vaal Triangle medical practitioner, renowned lepidopterist, father, grandfather and loving husband, passed away suddenly on August 2. His family, friends and colleagues will remember him as a man of great intellect who brought light into the lives of those who knew him.
Dr Kroon was born on 17 April 1940 and grew up in the small Karoo town of Graaff Reinett. He started his schooling at Union High and later moved to Kingwood College in Grahamstown. He excelled on the sports field and academically, especially in Latin, and matriculated as a top achiever – the first signs of a man with a remarkable intellect.
Always wanting to study medicine, he enrolled at the University of Cape Town and graduated in 1963. Shortly thereafter he married Noelline and together they had three children, Michael, Heather and Cecil.
The young family settled in Sasolburg in 1967 where Dr Kroon soon started his own practice. Alongside serving the community he also supported the surrounding industries. This lead later to his eventual appointment as an OSH manager at Safripol where he compiled a comprehensive Medical, Health and Safety manual of various chemicals, their dangers and treatments, occupational exposure limits etc – then, a first in South Africa. Again a reflection on the calibre of this man. He was also instrumental in the building of the Sasolburg Hospital.
Besides being a medical practitioner, Dr Kroon’s other passion was collecting moths and butterflies (scientifically termed as Lepidoptera) which started in his early years. This hobby played a significant role throughout his life. He was world renowned for his works and authored four scientific books and numerous technical papers. Perhaps the most well-known being Pennington’s Butterflies of Southern Africa which is still today the standard work on Southern African butterflies. The research for these lead to many memorable family holidays in remote or restricted areas throughout the country.
He served on the Board of the Transvaal Museum for many years and during this time compiled the definitive book and checklist for reference on all Lepidoptera species found or described in Southern Africa. His electronic checklist was donated to the museum and the third edition will be published shortly.
Always willing to share his knowledge and give back to the community, Dr Kroon was a member of numerous organisations, served on various boards and fulfilled multiple roles relating mostly to Lepidoptera world-wide.
He was an honorary life member of the British Museum, London – a rare achievement granted to very few people. He was also a member of the Royal Society.
In 2013 he was recognised by the University of Cape Town, where he received special recognition for the significant impact of his work on the ecology and taxonomy of moths and butterflies – an acknowledgement of his contributions to a field of study outside of medicine.
Other boards or organisations in which he played an active role or held a significant position, include:
• The surveyor of moths at Umdoni Park, KZN for the trust in late 70’s & early 80’s.
• The compiler of the Moth checklist/book – a world reference.
• A specialist editor, peer reviewer, foreword writer and reference checker of many books, insect publications and scientific papers.
• A founding member of the Lepidopterists’ Society of SA:, funder of Metamorphosis journal, editor (5 years), 2nd President and was awarded honorary life membership.
• A Director of Ditsong Museum of Natural History in Tshwane (formerly Transvaal Museum: Dr Doug donated his butterfly collection to them – each specimen meticulously labelled for catalogue purposes.
Dr Kroon discovered many new species and at least 14 of them and one genus were named in his honour (including one honouring his late wife, Noelline).
At age 77, then a widower, Doug married Jennifer and spent his last years happy and fulfilled, travelling overseas and touring around South Africa. His other interests included photography and stamp collecting. He was an avid reader and enjoyed listening to classical music.
“He lived for the conservation of both flora and fauna and enjoyed his life, close to nature, on the banks of the Vaal River. This was his place of peace and his paradise,” says Jennifer.
“Lepidopterology worldwide has lost a passionate collector and condolence messages were received from 11 countries across the world. Doug will be fondly remembered by us all… his children, grandchildren, family and friends. He impacted positively on so many lives and will live fondly on in our memories.”