The oldest and longest serving member of the Monte Vista Plattekloof Glen Neighbourhood Watch, Robert (Uncle Bob) Lehman (84) and his wife, Hilda (85), were spoiled on Thursday last week by the community for reaching a significant milestone this year — the couple will be celebrating six decades of marriage on 20 November.
To celebrate their upcoming 60th wedding anniversary, the couple was chaperoned in a vintage car to a local coffee shop for a breakfast on Thursday 23 October, a gesture arranged by the neighbourhood watch itself.
Casper Rossouw, neighbourhood watch chair, said the community rallied to honour the long-time residents as they approach their remarkable 60th wedding anniversary. The celebration featured a unique ride in a pre-war classic car, a 1926, which was done to recognise the couple’s lifelong dedication to the area, Rossouw says.
In July year the neighbourhood watch also honoured Uncle Bob by handing him a framed neighbourhood watch cap for his service to the community. Uncle Bob, who joined the organisation in May 2018, has since joining completed more than 3130km, 1475 hours and 1078 patrols on foot, TygerBurger reported.
Enduring love
Uncle Bob and Hilda’s enduring connection dates back to 1965, says Rossouw.
“As Hilda recalls, the true test of their bond came when Uncle Bob joined the army. Missing him profoundly during his absence solidified her certainty that he was the man for her.
“Since marrying, the couple has been a consistent fixture in Monte Vista, residing in the very same house for six decades,” Rossouw explains.
He says Uncle Bob, who served 18 years as a police reservist achieving the rank of warrant officer, remains intensely dedicated to public safety. “He is recognised by the neighbourhood watch as the most dedicated patroller in the area, always accompanied by his faithful dog.” Hilda, who is originally from Belgium, has stood by his side throughout their decades of community service, says Rossouw.
He says the highlight of the event on Thursday morning was a drive in a meticulously maintained vintage car, a 1926 Chevrolet Tourer, provided by retired police colonel, Johan Vorster. Vorster is a collector of pre-war vehicles, boasting a collection of ten classic cars, including a 1920 Dodge Tourer, and what is believed to be the only 1929 Roosevelt in South Africa, says Rossouw.
Vorster, who holds a medal for bravery after rescuing a woman and her dog from a burning house in Kraaifontein, drove the car himself for the occasion on Thursday.
The event, which the couple’s son Paul and his wife, Sharon, also attended, kicked off with a breakfast courtesy of Bean Authentic Coffee Roasters, a local coffee shop in Monte Vista.
Appreciation
Paul told TygerBurger that the family felt absolutely blown away by the gesture.
“It was not necessary, but it was fantastic. The neighbourhood watch has been fantastic with my dad, he is the oldest member and a regular patroller. It was absolutely amazing what they did. They even invited my wife and myself,” says Paul.
The family is planning an event for the couple on 22 November at the Killarney International Raceway, he says.
Paul says his mother and father was very emotional and pleased by what the neighbourhood watch did.
Cheryl Visser, councillor for Ward 1, also attended. She personally presented Hilda with a bunch of roses to commemorate the incredible milestone.
