Lifestyle/Community
Barney’s legacy lives on at KDVP Primary
JEFFREY WOLF
FORMER HEADMASTER OF KDVP HIGH SCHOOL
To speak of Barney in a few words is a daunting challenge for he epitomised so many outstanding qualities. Though orphaned when he was just six years old, he never allowed adversity to be an excuse, but used it instead as a spur to spectacular achievement and success.
His happy and productive years at Arcadia, the children’s home, and Parktown Boys’ High School made him a deserving winner of a scholarship to study at Wits University. At the same time he excelled as a sportsman in soccer, rugby, athletics and also hockey, in which he captained the Maccabi Hockey XI team in 1947.
He began teaching in government schools but in 1956 began his illustrious career in Jewish education with his appointment as vice-principal at King David Primary School, Linksfield.
Ten years later he was headmaster of the then newly-established King David Primary School in Victory Park, where he served for 24 years and became the legend that he was.
Barney’s motto “mens sana in corpore sano” (a healthy mind in a healthy body) was not just a tribute to his Latin major but a maxim by which he ensured that the generations of pupils under his charge benefited optimally both in the classroom and on the sports field. He formed special relationships with every pupil, and a rapport steeped in respect and warmth.
His professional commitment and dedication were unique. First to arrive at the school each morning and last to leave at dusk, his was an example that none could emulate. Such was his devotion that at the time of his retirement in 1990 he had never missed a single day of school; because of ill health.
I was privileged and honoured to be his colleague from 1969 when I came to the high school in Victory Park as deputy principal. Throughout my years as headmaster we enjoyed a very close and cordial relationship and I came to respect his superlative qualities as an educationist with ever-increasing admiration.
His indefatigable energy, his gentle but firm approach to the parent body, his staff and pupils, and his endless kindness, were such an inspiration to me. He motivated the King David community to become a family in which integrity and respect were paramount values.
Barney’s wife Bess and their two daughters, Tammy and Ingrid, were happy to share the illustrious man in their lives with the school he espoused so dearly and as a family gave him all the moral support he needed. After Bess passed away in 2007, Barney became a resident of Our Parents Home where he spent the last years of his life.
Although small in stature, Barney is a giant in the educational history of the South African Board of Jewish Education. His legacy lives on in the minds and hearts of all who were privileged to know him. His memory is a blessing.
Jonni
May 20, 2015 at 6:01 pm
‘Mr Myers was one of my teachers and one of the few who was so dedicated, kind and caring.
He was a GIANT in my eyes,a MENSCH and the epitome of what educators should be.
’
Auryt
May 21, 2015 at 11:05 am
‘Mr Myers was a great teacher and a great person. I feel so bad that in Std 5 he had to tell my parents how naughty I was. Please forgive me Mr Myers. May your very dear soul rest in peace Mr Myers.’
Elona Steinfeld
May 21, 2015 at 12:17 pm
‘Barney Meyers came to King David Primary School Linksfield in 1956. He was our Std 5 class teacher and we all loved him. At the end of the year farewell party – we were going on to high school – the whole class cried that he would no longer be teaching us.’
Shai Harman
May 23, 2015 at 11:12 am
‘Saddened to hear of his passing. A true mensch and a gentleman who helped my integration at the school in ’88-89 as a newly-arrived 10 year-old from Israel, regularly checking in to see how things were going. Much respect to him and love to his family.’
Susan
May 23, 2015 at 5:19 pm
‘Mr Myers was my principal when I was in primary school. A couple of years ago I bumped into him in the Hyper Market, not only did he remember my name, he asked after my parents and my sister, all by name. I hadn’t seen him since I left primary school. I am 38 years old! He was a man of greatness of soul and mind. Someone who is part of who I am today. Thank you Mr Myers – I will never forget you ‘
Cherie Amler
May 23, 2015 at 10:14 pm
‘I was so privileged to have been a part of the staff who worked under this amazing man. I loved and adored him. I will never forget his beautiful calligraphy on Rish Hashana cards( he never failed to send us one years after I left KDPS VP) 6DS8H. Our love and thoughts are with Tammy and IngridK’
Ravit Goldstein
May 24, 2015 at 11:41 am
‘We lived next door the school when I was at primary school. I’ll never forget getting called into Mr Myers’ office one day because 4 of the new born puppies had escaped under the fence and strolled into the school. He hugged and kissed them and firmly told us to take them home and try to keep them at home!
Amazing man who never had a bad word to say!
The world is a sadder place without you in it Mr Myers.’
corinne
May 24, 2015 at 2:28 pm
‘Mr Myers was a giant among men. He knew everyone by name that ever attended kdvp, he cared for all and he remains entrenched in all our lives. He will never be forgotten just as he never forgot any of us. A true legend and special soul. ‘
Dale Norman
May 24, 2015 at 3:50 pm
‘Although I never knew ‘Uncle Barney’ as an educator or teacher, I spent many happy hours as a guest in his home over many years. He and his lovely wife ‘Auntie Bess’ were good friends of our family and my sister and I spent time with Tammy and Ingie over the years. I remember that ‘Uncle Barney’ had a great sense of humor and would enjoy the capers of my younger brother over dinner. He was always kind to my grandmother Yettie who lived in Casa Bella at the end of her life and was a lovely and regular presence in our lives through the years when we were children. He was a special person and we are all richer having known him in various capacities. – ‘
Sybil and Mike Miller
May 24, 2015 at 4:17 pm
‘A true gentleman. Rest in peace old friend. Love and condolences to Tammy and Ingrid. All well remembered.’
Denise Goldin
May 24, 2015 at 4:40 pm
‘I was very privileged to have worked closely with Barney for many years whilst on the PTA and have only the best memories and highest regard for this remarkable man. He did indeed know every pupil, sibling and parent by name and his door was always open. My both children had wonderful educations under his leadership. Never to be forgotten. ????’
Warren Neugarten
May 24, 2015 at 10:45 pm
‘Mr. Myers was my principal when I started primary school in 1965. I am sorry I was such a lousy pupil, but with all that you never stopped trying to motivate me. I will always remember you lovingly and with great admiration. Thank you Mr. wolf for the beautiful and fitting tribute you wrote to Mr. Myers. ז’ל
‘
Doron Grosman
May 26, 2015 at 12:40 am
‘Mr. Myers was my principal when I joined VP in 1967. His motto of a ‘healthy mind in a healthy body’ played through in all his actions and thoughts (even when he delivered butt flaps) and I benefited greatly from his inspiration and wisdom. While I saw him last in 1975 his memory lives on. May his neshama rise up and be granted a place of great respect. Z’L’
Gerald and Arlene Middeldorf
May 26, 2015 at 8:47 am
‘
Dear Tammy and Ingrid and your families,
It was with a sense of shock and deep sadness that we’ve
heard of the loss of “our” special, honoured, greatly respected, and dearly
beloved former KDVPP Headmaster your dad — Mr. Barney Meyers, only some 8
years after losing his beloved Bess.
To us he perfectly personified all of the fundamental human
core values including honesty, courtesy, dignity, faithfulness, generosity,
selflessness, and sincere personal caring for others.
We remember that he incredibly knew the names of each and
every child in the school where numbers varied greatly over the years of our
association with this wonderful devoted and dignified Headmaster a truly lovely
human being – a true Mensh.
Who could ever forget his regular appearance as the
diminutive Haman leaping across the stage into a staff members arms each year
at Purim ;- the memorable example of his great passion of always encouraging PARTICIPATION
(rather than merely being the leader or winner).
Barney was greatly respected and loved by the pupils, the
staff, (including the cleaners and office assistants and the drivers of all the
buses all from the formerly disadvantaged community), the parent body, by the
Board and by the wider S African Jewish Community (especially for his work with
Arcadia), all of whom will deeply feel and mourn his loss.
The loss of ones parents is probably the most traumatic
experience in life and whilst mere words do little in themselves to relieve the
heavy burden of grief and sorrow that you must now be confronting we never the
less write to express our condolences hoping that you may derive some comfort
knowing that we are thinking of you all at this very sad time.
Wishing you all Long Life,
Arlene and Gerald Middeldorf
‘
Darrel Hotz
May 26, 2015 at 10:33 pm
‘In September 1966, I made the transition from Grade 2 at King David Linksfield to Grade 2 at Victory Park. It was the same day that Mr. Myers moved over to become headmaster at Victory Park. Every time he saw me, even long after I had graduated from Primary School, he would say \”Hello my twin\”. Over time that developed into \”my big twin’. To this day, I remember him fondly, as an educator, but more so as a mensch. May his neshama have numerous aliyot. Z\”L ‘
Warren Kalinko
May 28, 2015 at 1:30 pm
‘I have such fond memories of Barney Meyers, who was my principal throughout my primary school years at KDVP. I remember his kindness and encouragement, and his sprawling desk with all manner of papers all over it. I remember how we’d sing his favourite song each assembly \”It’s a small world after all\” and how I’d crave those different colour certificates he’d sign and occasionally hand out. I loved my primary school years, in no small measure due to the wonderful culture he nurtured at the school. He was a wonderful man, and so interesting to learn things about him that i never knew – no sick day his entire career, astounding. ‘