(Derek Vaughan-Heapy)
Derek Vaughan-Heapy,
a former bassoonist with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra (formerly the Natal
Philharmonic) died of triple heart attacks in Cape Town on July 2, 2017.
Close friend Joyce
Davis provides the information that “Derek
was born in Colchester, Essex, England, in 1947. His father was Frederick Heapy
who died at the aeb. 1921-d.1954 and was only 33. He had lived in England.
Mother: Muriel Joy Nash, born March 11, 1921, died on Feb. 9, 1999, in Durban.
So genetically Derek life expectancy would have been not long.”
A former member
of the Grenadier Guards in the 1960’s, he went to
Burleigh Secondary School
and later studied at the Royal Military School of Music. He lived in Calitzdorp in the
Western Cape.
Facebook tributes indicate how much he was
held in respect and affection for his warm and cheerful personality as well as
his work in the music field.
Former colleague
Charles Grey says: “So shocked by the sad news that Derek Vaughan-Heapy
recently passed away! I met Derek over 27 years ago when I started working for
NAPAC (now the Playhouse Company). Derek played in the Natal Philharmonic
Orchestra. I will miss his great sense of humour.”
Friend and
colleague Tom Greer adds: “Derek was a colleague of mine over a couple of spans
when I was in the Cape Town Symphony and the Natal Philharmonic. He and I
didn't "hang out" together, as I was married, with a family, and he
was single and had his own lifestyle. He was kind, a raconteur of singular
verve and could always dissolve a tense rehearsal situation with a funny quip.”
Bongani Tembe, CEO and Artistic Director of
the KZN Philharmonic says: “I am very sorry to hear this news. Derek was a
dedicated member of the orchestra and for a very long time. A strong member in
the bassoon section, he was also a very nice human being.”
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