It is with deep sadness that we inform the Bishops and OD Communities of the passing of Nicholas ‘Nick’ Köster.  Nick died in Norwich UK on 12 July 2023.   We send our deepest condolences to his wife Jeannie, daughters Peyton and Harper, to his parents John (Founders House, 1979) and Lana-Anne, his siblings John Peter 'JP' (Founders House, 2004) and Tina, and his grandmothers Jackie Köster and Erena Scholtz and to his family.     

Nicholas (Nick) Köster was born on 22 February 1989.  He was Head of Boarding and Deputy Head Boy of the Prep School in 2002.  One can still see him running the middle-distance events bare-foot, finishing streaks ahead of the next person.  From the time he came to Founders House in the College in 2003, his leadership and sporting achievements were evident as being at the highest level any schoolboy could have; space does not allow one to list them all.  Nick was Head Boy of Bishops in his Matric year (2007); captained the Western Province Craven week side that year; was elected as a member of the SA Schools rugby side in 2006 and 2007; and captained the First XV and the touring side to England and France in 2007.  His coach at the time, the Late André Jacobs said of Nick: “This talented and delightful young man has all the attributes of a fine rugby player and has a bright future in the game”.       

Nick had great love and passion for his school as seen from the words in his speech he gave as the outgoing Head of School: “… a school that I have so much passion for and a school that has moulded me into who I am … thinking about and telling you what this school means to me is something that brings goose bumps to the skin of my forearms, a feeling of great pride to my heart, and often a tear to my eye”.   

Nick went on to achieve further at sport as part of his working career.  After playing professionally for WP making his Currie Cup debut as an 8th man as a 19 year old (2008), and representing the Stormers in Super Rugby, Nick went to the UK to play rugby and at the same earned several university degrees; a Bachelor’s degree from Northumbria University in 2015, and an MBA from Bath in 2021; and as recently as 2022, graduated with a Master’s degree in Social Innovation from Cambridge University.  He played professional rugby for Bath, then Bristol (62 appearances), and then Cambridge R.U.F.C for the 2017/18 season as captain and served as its President (2022/3).    

Nick made his way up in the organization, ProServ in Norwich, occupying the position of Director at the time of his death.   

We will be able to share information about Nick’s celebration of life service once we receive it.

May The Dear Soul of Nick Köster Rest in Peace.