Gerhard Lucas van Niekerk

Gerhard Lucas van Niekerk

1951 ~ 2025

Gerhard was born in the town of Randfontein in South Africa.  He was the older of two sons born to the couple. He was part of a large close knit extended and loving family, and he maintained contact with them up to the time of his death. 

At the age of 6 years, he became convinced of a calling to the ministry. From then on this was his goal in life and education. 

At the end of high school his father declined to give any financial assistance for Gerhard to attend the seminary at Helderberg College far away near Cape Town. Instead, he proposed that Gerhard do nursing, with no financial burden since student nurses received a stipend during their training. If he was still of the same mind on completion of nursing, then he would have a means of supporting himself at seminary.

So he trained at a large mining hospital. His compassion for people and his integrity drew people to him and even some of the older staff would come to him to discuss their problems. At the end of the three years, the day he wrote his final exams he resigned and departed for the seminary, on the long drive south to Cape Town.

At that time the college offered a four-year theology diploma. He did well in his studies. Prior to starting his studies, he had worked out and understood the concept of Righteousness by Faith for himself. Another student that he had known since childhood, apparently was not understanding this very well, so Gerhard took the time to patiently expound it. The student’s response was “let us kneel and thank God for his Great Mercy.” 

In his fourth and final year he looked for a date for the annual banquet. A first-year medical student, was boarding at the college with students who travelled to a nearby university daily. He asked her out to the banquet and enjoyed her company. But he withheld from pursuing a closer relationship with her since he felt he didn’t want to interfere with her studies. Five years after graduation, in 1980 he had the opportunity to return to the seminary for an extra year of study to obtain a degree. He arrived at college with a 3.5 metre boat which he regularly took on the sea to go fishing, He had stories of good close encounters with whales and accidentally catching a seagull, among others. His friends were often invited along to enjoy a day out.  He also enjoyed photography, a lifelong hobby.

 He met the medical student, now in her final year, but he still didn’t make a move to a closer relationship.

He returned to the ministry after graduation. A few years later his parents met the doctor at a wedding. 

About 6 months later he discovered where the doctor was working, in another part of the country. He decided it was now or never, since he was 33 years old. He knelt and prayed for guidance, then called the hospital who put the call through to the OT where the doctor was working. The rest is history. They were married a year later in November 1985. The couple celebrated their 40th anniversary in hospital during his final illness. 

During their marriage they served in 6 different pastoral districts over 26 years. He was highly respected for his integrity. His saying was ‘I’d rather get into trouble for doing something right than for doing something wrong”. He could be tough at times, but diplomatic.  He also had compassion and mercy for those in need. He was a true and loyal friend to those who knew him professionally and also a fearless defender of Christian beliefs who was prepared to take on anyone who strayed from Bible truth. More than one friend said that he admired Gerhard for that. He was also known for his unique sense of humour and had an ability to make friends among ordinary church members. After his retirement he stayed in contact with many of his former colleagues scattered around the world. 

He was a loving husband, always protective of Adria and constantly saw to her comfort in so many ways. He supported her through her career and encouraged her in interests outside her profession. He sacrificed his annual leave for a number of years so that she could periodically work in Canada then retired early after 35 years of service, so that she could have one more year of working in Canada. 

During that year, 2013, he made the suggestion “let’s stay” and so they began the procedure for immigration. They finally received Canadian citizenship in 2022. 

In the local congregation which they attended, he was known for his friendliness but also for his love of orderly proceedings during worship. In fact, some called him the ‘timekeeper’ reminding others to not go over time when the occasion demanded! 

During his final illness while in hospital he was still eager to proclaim the gospel to everyone that he met. Some months before his illness, he put up a printout of   1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 at his front door. We have the Blessed Hope of this being true. He went to sleep late on 3 December 2025. We will see him again one day at the resurrection.

Memorial service will be at the SDA church Brandon, 3319 Park Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba on December 13, 2025 at 3pm.

The service will be live-streamed and a recording will be available @www.whitesfh.ca and on Brandon MB SDA church YouTube channel. 

Many thanks and deep appreciation to the following:

Nursing staff of Carberry Hospital and Drs Bushara and Alagaili

EMS based in Carberry

Pastor Wally Lyder for leading the service.

The support from the congregation of the SDA church

All the many friends who have so unstintingly given of their love and their time.

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