My name is Keith Sumption and I am the chief vet officer in FAO, and years ago did my PhD on African Swine fever, and in the 1980s the work Gavin had done was my bible; it had the elegance and originality I so needed, for my work in Zambia.

It has been an honour to work with Gavin at every opportunity- please tell him, from me, that he will never be forgotten, and I speak for the whole vet community to say that he is a hero to us, and his bravery and willingness to rock boats for a good cause made every meeting remarkable.

Please tell Gavin the world of animal health is a better place because of him. The transfrontier game parks are better as a result of his support for sustainable livestock and wildlife coexistence. Please tell him we are honoured to have known him and his legacy will live for ever. He may say that's over the top- but I mean it. Please thank him for me, and FAO, for his lifetimes achievement and his influence on all if us proud to call our selves his students.

Keith Sumption

He always made me feel that he was pleased to speak to me ...that it wasn't annoying him....he always ended the conversation with by "all the best ". I shall miss him he was a special brother-in- law to me.

Naomi Dower

This is sad. We will miss his contribution to FMD science in Africa esp southern, and indeed the whole world. Always challenging status quo ..... its not easy for anyone to fit those shoes, but we need that for science to grow. MHSRINP.

M. Letshwenyo, OIE

From little old Gwanda, in Zimbabwe, to an internationally acclaimed veterinary scientist, Gavin changed the way we viewed endemic African wildlife disease. His expertise and mentorship will be greatly missed. Sincere condolences to Gavin's loved ones, as well as his closest colleagues.

Chris Foggin, Zimbabwe

Very very sad news. What a loss and a mentor and friend Markus Hofmeyr, South Africa

His suffering is over and the Gavin we knew and admired and laughed with will remain in our memories.What a lot of those memories you made together over the years.. 

Katharine Dalling

There are so many wonderful things about Gavin that jump to mind after an association of almost 50 years. Confirming your second name by being "reckless" going head first into a warthog hole looking for ASF vectors while the technician hanging onto your legs had strict orders to pull you
out fast if the pigs will try to go the opposite way! You will be remembered for the persistent way you continued to try and convince the international veterinary regulators to accept the concept of commodity based trade in FMD
infected countries in Africa to facilitate trade. You will be remembered for looking for difference of opinion in scientific discussions to either demonstrate your point or to be convinced that there are alternative solutions to a difficult situation.

Thanks Gavin - may you rest in peace!

Gideon Bruckner

Very sad indeed. What a loss of such talent and unique humour!!  Mark Rweyemamu

Our condolences to the family and friends. He has done tremendous work in the veterinary field. May his soul rest in peace. Idy Thololwane, Botswana DVS

I am so sorry for your loss. Gavin was a gentleman, respected and excellent at his job. I know him since the middle 90's when he was the Director at the OVI.

Life and death are not in our hands, but he left a legacy and memory's to keep him with you for years to come.

Rina Serfontein

I was very sad to receive the news today. [Gavin] will always be one of those few highly placed internationally acclaimed scientists who had the courage to defend his knowledge and convictions; he could not be swayed to suit a political or economic agenda, for him science came first and could not be meddled with. He proved that he was right.

I feel certain his work and foresight will be widely recognised. He contributed massively in so many fields…

…He was passionate about his work, was always one (or several!) steps ahead. He had the courage to tell the truth and ethics that were remarkable... it doesn't surprise me he was modest about his achievements with you all.

He certainly did make a huge impact in international circles and a big difference to Africa.. my guess is he'll go down as one of Africa's greatest scientists. His expertise and knowledge was much sought after throughout his career and across the globe.

In addition, he was a fantastic guy... we will miss him too Gill Dilmitis

We would like to convey our sincere condolences with the passing of Prof Gavin Thomson. It was truly a great pleasure to know him as a dear friend and respected colleague for so many years. He played an incredible role in improving veterinary science nationally and internationally and contributed significantly as co-editor in the development and implementation of Anipedia.

He will be deeply missed.
Prof Koos Coetzer and Dr Peter Oberem

[Gavin] had a great influence on my early career when I worked in Zambia on FMD buffalo captures. Because of him I visited Onderstepoort a lot. He was a great man and very friendly. He opened up my courage in wildlife medicine. I am now at the Veterinary faculty in Norway.

Hetron M. Munangandu

Heartfelt condolences to the family. We have lost a great pillar of the veterinary profession.

Wigganson Matandiko, Botswana DVS

I feel fortunate to have so many memories of your determined man and will remember him as such and as a formidably clever and devoted husband and dad.

Ros and John

We have many great memories of Gav’s ability to tell a funny story! He had a real dry wit which added to the hilarity of his story telling technique. One of those amusing stories he told, was an account of how he met Margie and his future mother-in-law, Gracie, on a cruise to the UK. And another absolutely hysterical story he told, was of how he landed up traveling across London in a taxi with only a towel draped around him… I know it sounds too amazing to be true! Margie will have to fill you in on the details.

Vernon and Janet Rice

It feels like yesterday when I think of Port Alfred and those happy family days. Those holidays were when we saw Gavin the most. He was always the uncle with the wry smile and amusing comments which made everyone laugh. He would always ask how school was going and crack a joke or two whilst asking. I always tell people that my uncle was the Head of Onderstepoort and that you would sometimes sleep with baby warthogs in your bed. I remember us all being so excited about him speaking on (was it “Network”) tv about “mad cow disease” and I was so proud to have my uncle on tv!

Sarah, Baylon, Milan and Maximus Sandri

In Memory of Gavin

I worked for you for a while and will always remember your smile on your face when you enter the office and your friendly greeting.

It was an honour and I respected you for what you have done for me and the institute. It was great organising your flights, your meetings and all that was needed. You were always friendly even if you had a difficult day.

I remember the last time I saw you on the 6th floor. You looked surprised and it was so good seeing you again.

May you rest in peace until we meet again

Marie Watson

We had so many good times together, we will always think back and are thankful that we knew Gavin. I wish you peace and strength.

Fred and Gené Potgieter

Uncle Gav,
The globetrotting big-shot 'mombe' (cow) expert from Gwanda! Considering how infrequently our paths crossed, the memories I have of those, all too few, times we did meet up are very vivid and pleasant. Drinking cold beer in London with you and Alex, listening to your stories of University. Relaxing in Yzerfontein eating fresh mussels watching the whales swim by. Walking around the burbs in Pretoria at sunset with the dog. I always found myself looking forward to the next time.

I hope there are cold beers and mombes (unless you're sick of them by now) aplenty for you now.
Love
Greg

I was asked, on behalf of the OP class of 1966, to convey our sincere condolences to you and your family with Gavin’s passing. Hopefully the good times and memories will help to make it a little easier.

Gavin was a unique member of our group. We shall always remember him as a loyal friend, determined sportsman and exceptional and dedicated scientist.

Best wishes and love.
Dürr Bezuidenhout and 1966 class -mates

A very very sad loss indeed. Very big gap he will surely leave as friend, colleague and expert scientist

Jacques van Rooyen

Terribly sad news. A major part of his legacy is what we all are achieving here in Botswana to improve the lives and livelihoods of people in the livestock industry.

Tico McNutt, Botswana

Great man, iconic vet......what a loss
Clive Marshall, Botswana

I only really got to know Uncle Gav in my twenties, although before then my mom had relayed to me that he was a bit of a hot-shot veterinary scientist. I enjoyed his sense of humour and intelligent observation. He shared my mom’s Thomson looks, love of licorice, and dedication to work. He was made of the same tough stuff! I was very fortunate to catch-up with him on the occasions he came to visit Charlotte, Hardi, Jenny and Sean in Australia in recent years. 

Tarryn Wood

We are devastated to learn of the passing of a great man, husband, father and friend. You will remain in our hearts and minds.

Peter and Adriana Brown

In memory of Gavin Thomson

I can remember the first time many years ago that I met Gavin.  It was at Onderstepoort when he came there, as the ‘Engelsman’ from Rhodesia, to study veterinary science.  He fitted into the mould of the then Onderstepoort students: highly intelligent, strong-willed, and independent.  You did not tell them, and particularly not Gavin, what to do.  They were focused, worked hard, and played hard. 

Gavin and I were not close friends, but our roads crossed a number of times in the professional domain of veterinary science.  It is from that perspective that I will always remember his focus on the job to be done, his commitment to detail, and the integrity with which he conducted his affairs.  In his own way he said what had to be said, and he stuck to what he considered to be right and what he believed in.

Gavin will be remembered for his major contribution to the local and international pool of knowledge and practice in the field of foot-and-mouth disease, and later in the extensive and most important concept of what has become known as the vast field of transboundary diseases and their impact.

I will remember Gavin for the person that he was, and his mammoth contribution to veterinary science for the duration of his life.  May he rest in peace.

Nick Kriek