In memoriam. Bruce Harold Fivaz: 1946-2025

Abstract

Bruce was born in, the then, Salisbury, Rhodesia, in 1946. In 1964, he proceeded to the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg before being accepted for the BVSc degree at Onderstepoort from 1966-1969. He then served as Government Veterinary Officer at Rusape, moving to the Diagnostics Section of the Central Veterinary Laboratory (Salisbury), after which he went to private practice with Crispian Trace. In 1983, he moved into a small practice in Hillcrest, Natal, with Lawson Cairns. He joined the Tick Research Unit at Rhodes University in Grahamstown in 1988, where he became Head and Professor until 1993. He was awarded a Master of Science degree by the University of Birmingham (UK) in 1979 and a Doctorate in Philosophy by the Faculty of Science, University of Zimbabwe in 1985. He authored a book, "Tick vector biology: medical and veterinary aspects," in 1992 and published 37 scientific articles, and received the SAVA Research Award in 1992. A multifaceted man, Bruce set up an ostrich farming venture on the Dawson family farm and was the consultant vet for the Malilangwe Conservancy, where he was also involved in breeding buffalo, and was appointed as a Veterinary Consultant to Pfizer in Zimbabwe. He was a talented sportsman and did an epic marathon, cycling from Harare to Cape Town to raise funds for destitute pensioners in Zimbabwe. He was married to Jane Dawson and together they have two daughters, Nicola and Angela. Biography of the .... The biography includes information about his/her education and career, scientific contributions and writings, homages and distinctions.