NEWS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
In memory of Dave Donald
By John Ackermann
A
Dave Donald passed away on 19 September 2017.
8
t the age of 53, Dave
Donald passed away while
enjoying drinks with friends
at the Swiss Club in Midrand on 19
September 2017.
Dave’s sudden death, possibly
from heart failure, came as a
great shock to his many friends
and colleagues in the refrigeration
industry, particularly in the transport
sector.
Dave did his apprenticeship at
OK Bazaars in Johannesburg and
later joined the service department
of Grenco (SA) in Kempton Park.
In 1988, Dave and his two
colleagues at Grenco — John
Forbes and Peter Molyneux —
joined forces and started Reefer
Refrigeration as an independent
service contractor, specialising
in refrigerated transport. Reefer
Refrigeration was close to the
Shell Truchotel in Alberton and
the trio (Dave, John, and Peter)
often attended to breakdowns or
did servicing of the many long-
distance refrigerated trailers that
called at or parked overnight at
the Truchotel.
Later, the trio split, and
Dave started AC&R Transport
Refrigeration Services as an agent
for Transfrig.
Dave was passionate about
whatever he did and enjoyed
socialising at industry events and
Southern African Refrigerated
Distribution Association (SARDA)
meetings. He had a keen eye for
opportunities in new technologies
or equipment to the South African
market. Later, the distributorship
changed to Kingtec South Africa
and Dave continued working
with them.
After Kingtec South Africa
restructured, Dave once again
joined up with Peter Griesel at
AC&R Refrigeration Services. His
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
wife, Charmaine, and daughter,
Hayley, also joined Dave at AC&R.
Dave was big in stature, jovial,
and keen to socialise. He was
a hard worker, had a wealth of
experience in his field, and was
ever-ready to live life to the fullest.
He was a fine example of working
hard and playing even harder.
Dave enjoyed hunting and fishing
and often went to Mozambique
with his friends to fish for marlin.
Our condolences go to
Charmaine, Hayley, and his sons
Wayne, Robert, and Andy.
Dave was from the old school
and has certainly left a gaping
hole in refrigerated transport
service in Africa; one that will be
difficult to fill. Dave will fondly be
remembered by all who ever met
him or worked with him. He had a
personality that affected everyone
who ever met him. May he rest in
peace. CLA
COLD LINK AFRICA • January | February 2018