NEWS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Richard Manning : 5 August 1948 – 20 May 2023 Written by John Ackerman
Dick , as he was fondly known to all , was the second youngest of seven children , born in Nkandla , Kwa- Zulu Natal .
After matriculating at Cape Town High , in 1969 Dick enrolled for the engineering training programme of Safmarine . He spent six years at sea and as an engineering officer his wife , Veronica , was able to join him once or twice a year . Like other seafaring men , Dick left the sea to enjoy more time with his family ashore . With his engineering experience and refrigeration knowledge , he joined Table Bay Fisheries in Hout Bay . He later worked on a farm in Caledon and at OK Bazaars before joining Pick ‘ n Pay in 1986 , where he remained until retiring at the age of 60 years .
During his time at Pick ‘ n Pay , Dick was engaged with new refrigeration installations in its stores and distribution centres . The construction of the largest distribution centre in Longmeadow , Ekurhuleni in 2008 was the last project Dick handled before ‘ retiring ’. Thereafter , he continued to be involved in the refrigeration industry at Isele Consulting and often sub-contracted to Pick ‘ n Pay . At Isele Consulting , Dick was involved with the GIZ ( Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH ) sponsored pilot cascade ammonia / CO 2 refrigeration systems installed in the Strand , Cape Town and in Randpark Ridge , Johannesburg in 2009 / 10 .
Isele Consulting has also worked closely with Pat Burke of the RPM Engineering Group . In preparation for his final retirement his nephew , Keith Manning , joined Dick in the business . Keith had also been at sea with Safmarine and in a strange serendipity , while Dick was on the first voyage of the Safmarine vessel , Nederberg , Keith was on its last voyage 20 years later .
As the then editor of the Cold Link newspaper , I met Dick at many industry functions and events and no matter where , he always had a smile on his face and had something good and positive to say . He enjoyed being involved and networking with his colleagues and friends in the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry .
Dick enjoyed the outdoors , cycling and walking . He cycled in the Argus Cycle Race , and it was while on one of his favourite walks in Newlands Forest with his family on Saturday 20 May that he unexpectedly passed away .
Dick was a gentleman and will be fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of being in his company .
Our sympathy goes to his wife , Veronica ; his son Michael , an accountant in Rondebosch ; his son Brian , a medical doctor in Riebeeck West ; his daughter Lesley , who works for a law firm ; as well as all their families ; and to his only surviving sibling , Violet .
May he rest in peace after an earthly journey that brought joy and a smile to the face of many . CLA
Photo supplied by the family .
Dick was a gentleman and will be fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of being in his company .
6 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za COLD LINK AFRICA • July / August 2023