Born in County Donegal, Ireland, on 19 July 1928, and named Loftus Dundas, in later years fondly known as “Lofty” by colleagues and friends alike, Lofty passed away on Friday 17 July 2009 (two days before his 81st birthday) at the Olivedale Clinic in Randburg (close to Johannesburg) after complications during a heart operation.
Lofty entered the tourism industry 61 years ago when he joined the British European Airways in 1948. Ten years later he immigrated to the then Salisbury in Rhodesia and joined Central African Airways which later became known as Air Rhodesia. Lofty moved to Kwa-Zulu Natal as Regional manager for the air line and later transferred to Johannesburg where he ultimately retired from the travel industry but never left the industry behind.
Lofty joined Skal International as a member in Salisbury in 1960 and retained active links right up to his passing. Lofty is one of those people whose dedication and drive helped him to reach heights in the organisation of Skal International that have only
been matched by a few members in the South African Chapter. Below is a brief C. V. Of Lofty’s period with Skal International:
| 1960 – 1963 | Member | Skål International Salisbury |
| 1963 – 1964 | Member | Skål International Bulawayo |
| 1964 – 1966 | Member/Director | Skål International Salisbury |
| 1966 – 1972 | Member/Director/VP/President | Skål International Durban |
| 1972 – 2009 | Member | Skål International Johannesburg |
| 1973 – 1982 | Director/President/VP | Skål International Johannesburg |
| 1978 – 1982 | VP/President | Skål International South Africa |
| 1982 – 1984 | President | Skål International Johannesburg |
| 1984 – 1989 | International Skål Councillor | Skål International South Africa |
| 1987 – 1990 | VP/President | International Skål Council |
| 1991 – 1994 | Director | Skål International Johannesburg |
| 1994 – 2009 | Membre d’Honneur | Skål International |
A truly remarkable career, which is made even more remarkable by the fact that he also made his mark internationally which is listed below:
| 1984 – 1987 | International Skal Council | Councellor |
| 1987 – 1989 | International Skal Council | Vice President |
| 1989 – 1990 | Inertnational Skal Council | President |
| 1994 | AISC World Congress | Membre D’Honneur AISC |
| 1972 – 2009 | Africa Area Committee | Vice President |
Within the fold of Skal International Lofty was also very well travelled having attended and enormous twenty five world congresses in both capacities as delegate and guest.
AISC WORLD CONGRESSES ATTENDED
1966-NAPLES, 1968-MALAGA, 1971-LAS VEGAS, 1975-MALAGA, 1978-SINGAPORE,
1979-BERLIN, 1980-DUBLIN, 1981-JOHANNESBURG, 1982-MANILA, 1983-LAS VEGAS,
1984-PARIS, 1985-JERUSALEM, 1986-PUERTO RICO, 1987-ADELAIDE, 1988-VIENNA,
1989-VANCOUVER, 1990-COLOMBO, 1991-MUNICH, 1992-CAPE TOWN, 1994-LOS ANGELES,
1995-GRANADA, 1996-BANGKOK, 1997-RIO DE JANEIRO, 2002-CAIRNS. 2003-CHENNAI.
Right up to the time that Lofty took ill he was still an active member of Skal International Johannesburg and even officiated at the 60th anniversary of the club in January of 2009. The special person that Lofty was really became visible when realising that although Skal was a passion his one true love in life was Jean his wife of many years who accompanied Lofty on all of his trips around the world. Lofty’s knowledge and passion for the organisation along with his keen sense of humour and dance floor antics will be sorely missed by everyone who has come into contact with him. To Jean, Lofty’s devoted wife, we grieve and celebrate a great life with you. From a combined Skal South Africa we salute you, SKAL.
Go with Peace Dear Friend and Skalleague
http://www.skalsouthafrica.org
