Jan passed away on Monday 7th January 2019. A service was held on Wednesday in Hermanus. 

Thank you to Andrew Stevens (past parent) for informing the OD Union and for submitting a moving tribute of Jan (read below). 
 

 Jan Paul Steenkamp - Obituary
 

Jan Paul Steenkamp was born to Peggy & Willem on 22 February 1942 in Springs and died on 7 January 2019 in Hermanus. He lost his father at an early age in military action in Italy 1944 and then spent his early childhood days first on his grandparents’ farm Doornbosch and later on his uncle’s farm Mooiplaas, both in Stellenbosch. These days he always remembered fondly. His school career began at Rhenish from where he went to Paul Roos Gymnasium before becoming a boarder at Bishops until his matriculation.

Jan was a sportsman, excelling in athletics, rugby and cricket and boxing. But the sport was not all he loved, music also filled his life, he became the deputy chair of the school choir.

Jan was a natural leader, believing in teamwork, yet he was also fiercely competitive.

After matriculation, Jan briefly pursued medical studies at UCT and Rhodes where he met his future wife, Felicity. But he soon abandoned his studies in favour of a career in the British South Africa Police (BSAP) which he joined in 1962. In 1964 he attended Felicity’s graduation in Grahamstown and two years later they were married, leaving church under a BSAP Guard of Honour.

The BSAP soon recognised his leadership qualities and he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming an instructor. His love of rugby never waned; he played for the BSAP team, Mashonaland and was selected to play for Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). Jan is warmly remembered by his colleagues in the BSAP as an Officer and a Gentleman, but also a man who put his wife and family first.

In 1979 the family moved to South Africa where Jan first worked as Security Manager at RCS Foods, and subsequently a Shell. Holidays were mainly spent in Kenton-on-Sea and Hermanus – Jan loved swimming, animals and travel. Indeed, there was little that Jan did not love and embrace enthusiastically, including food!

In later life, Jan suffered numerous medical setbacks including a stroke which left him partially paralysed and heart problems. True to form, Jan fought bravely but finally succumbed to heart failure in Hermanus, following an operation. His funeral took place in the United Church, Hermanus, on 9 January 2019.

Jan is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Felicity, his children, Tanya, Janine & Paul, grandchildren, Alexi, Nicolas & Olivia.