We received the sad news of the passing of beloved Bishops teacher, Edward Tracey Milne, on Tuesday 15th April, from his son, Peter Milne (1989K).

Pete sent us this wonderful obituary:

Ed Milne, an educationalist, father, husband and glass way-beyond-half-full teacher died on Tuesday 15th April at 11h30, a week after his 85th birthday.

The “Little Things” were important to Ed, i.e. how you doffed your cap, showed respect, showed kindness, appreciation and modesty. How you ALWAYS walked if you snicked one, to the correct way to take guard or make a tackle or structure a sentence or solve an equation. You never offered someone ‘another beer’ as that implies excess, only a beer.

Other little things were that he was born on the 7th April 1940 to Arnold (School 19-footsack) and Joan, attended Pridwin Preparatory School, St Andrews College, Maritzburg University and Cambridge University.

The BIG THINGS were that that Ed Milne was a gentleman, ALWAYS put others first, didn’t sweat the small stuff, was an incredible ‘by-example’ leader, prolific sportsman and devoted father and husband to the extra-ordinary Willow.

He was honest and true, black and white, but he loved deeply, he cared, was kind but very firm. Ed loved life, he loved the classroom, he loved his colleagues, he loved sports and he loved people. Friendships and honour and connections, but not networking was important to him.

Ed was as a Bishops teacher and shepherder of boys, he lead by example through a broad grin and naughty twinkle, always joking and ribbing. How you played was important, not whether you won or lost.

Ed and Willow

Rick Skeeles (left), Midge Hilton Green (Headmaster centre) and Ed (right) showing off his calf muscles in a school production

He also had big calves, gigantic ones in fact. An upside-down Popeye.

Although qualifying as a History Teacher, Ed taught at Cranleigh College in the UK, before serving on the Bishops Prep as a maths and English teacher for more than 30-years. He was housemaster of Brooke, 1st XI coach and intricate to all Bishops Prep life for almost half a century. He never left as he followed the paths of all he taught with interest and pride. His house was always open, his door never shut.

Ed (left) acting as a ballerina in the school play

Ed cared little about appearance and nought for material possessions, he cared only of family, friendship and community. He worked with John Passmore (1973G), in Langa, the start of Baker’s Mini Cricket as we know it today, as well as an administrator for decades at Silvertree Community in Delft in the Cape Flats.

Ed leaves behind a younger brother Anthony and nephews James (School; 1986) and Simon (Birt; 1988) and 4-grandchildren, Jemma & Ross Tomlinson and Neo & Rafaella Milne. Neo is currently in grade 8 at Kidd House.

His daughter Fiona, son Peter (Kidd; 1989), daughter-in-law Nicola and partner Jenny invite you to celebrate the extraordinary – with many more stories and anecdotes to follow - life of a LEGEND of Bishops Prep at 14:30 on Saturday 19th April at 'The Clubhouse' at the Helderberg Village, Somerset West.

Dress Code: Flip Flops, Barefoot or No Socks mandatory.

Ed was the u10A rugga coach for decades and on Saturday morning matches against other schools, he would always grab the ball and say, “round me forwards!” The kids would form mauls around Ed as a way to coach them during a match. Not sure what opposition parents thought but it was awesome!

Justin Gomes; Kidd 1991

Geez - he was an exceptional man. There are so many influential people in leadership positions today who’ve been impacted by Ed’s modelled behaviour of firm fairness, not only as a teacher but every day of his life, who are living out what he taught them daily, which is making this world a better place.

He ALWAYS had a smile - every time I said hello or goodbye he made me feel like I was bringing joy to him - EVERY time - and when I left, the way he said goodbye made me feel like I’d brought some happiness or sunlight to his day, with that little nod of the head, the gentle frown to accentuate the genuineness of the message and with the broadest smile.

What an extraordinary man - he’ll live on in all those he taught and his influence will continue for generations.

Vasbyt, boet. It’s a large set of flip-flops to fill, being the patriarch of the Ed Milne gene-line.

Andrew Stegmann; Founders 1989