Frank Quint

10/4/1921 - 19/2/2003

Dr Quint, an educationalist, was associated with the Scout Movement for very many years.

He was Chairman of the National Scout Council of the then Coloured Scout Association of South Africa under the leadership of the late Aaron Domingo, then Chief Scouts Commissioner right up to the time of the amalgamation of the four Associations in 1977 and was subsequently appointed International Commissioner of the Boy Scouts of South Africa. He led the South African delegation to the World Scout Conference - I think that was in Canada in 1978 - but did not serve in this capacity for very long.

Before his retirement Dr Quint was South Africa's Ambassador to the Netherlands, but had a stroke and returned to South Africa where he had been increasingly frail and had withdrawn completely from public life.

He is survived by his wife and children.

Winston M Adams 24 February 2003

Newspaper Article Write-up

Dr Frank Quint Born: 10 April 1921 Died: 19 February 2003

DR FRANK Quint, a great educator and a former South African ambassador, to the Netherlands, has died.

He suffered heart failure in Kingsbury Hospital in-Claremont last Wednesday. He was 81. He was born to Sam and Lenie Quint of Worcester on April 10 1921, the younger of two boys. His brother Charles died last year.

Frank Quint attended the Rhenish Primary School in Worcester and matriculated from Trafalgar High School in Cape Town. He went on to study teaching at the Wesley Teachers' Training College in Salt River.

In 1942 Quint's teaching career started at Steinkopf Primary School in Namaqualand. Three years later he was promoted to Principal. He was also Principal of Bredasdorp High School (1949 to 1951), Emil Weder High School in Genadendal (1951 to 1955) and Suffolk Street Secondary in Cape Town, later known as Roggebaai High School (1955 to 1965).

His other contributions to education include being the first appointed Rector of Hewat Teachers Training College in Athlone (1965 to 1967).

In 1967 he was one of the first to graduate with a master's degree in education from Unisa. Two years later he became one of the first to complete his doctorate in education at the University of the Western Cape. The new doctor was appointed as educational Planner in the, head office of the Cape Education Department (1967 to 1969) and as inspector of education in the Ceres, Sutherland and Wynberg areas (1970 to 1977). Later he was appointed chief inspector of education in Johan¬nesburg (1977 to 1971) and in Cape Town (1979 to 1980).

He was a prolific writer and co-authored a number of school text books. 'He was also a columnist for Die Burger and Rapport writing under the pseudonym 'Makkie Philips' from 1960 to 1970. She recalled how they met in their home town of Worcester and married on 20 December 1947. They had five children: Louise, Linda, Sam, Eleanor and Charles.

In 1954 the Quints moved to Hazendal in Athlone and have lived there ever since. He could often be seen tending to his beautiful garden. He was an avid orchid grower and member of the Cape Horticultural Society. His other hobbies Included playing the clarinet, bowling and woodwork. His relatives speak proudly of his many and varied achievements.

He served on the board of the SABC and was International Commissioner for the Boy Scouts in 1978 as well as being a lay preacher in the Methodist Church.

"It was indeed an honour when he was appointed the ambassador to the Netherlands from 1986 to 1990," said his wife.

He retired in 1990 after he suffered a stroke which affected the left side of his body and left him with slurred speech.

"He was a great man, educated and philosophical. We travelled the world together and I learnt so many things from him. I'll always remember him as a great thinker who made time for his family," said Sophia.

Dr Frank Quint leaves his wife, five children and seven grand children. His funeral service will be held at the St James Church in 3rd Avenue, Kenilworth on March 1 at 11am followed by a private cremation.

Genevieve Serra