Stan Diesel RIP

Sorry I missed this


Stan Diesel dies in bike crash
Nicci Garner: Stan Diesel, long-time Turffontein track manager and Phumelela’s General Manager Racing Operations until his retirement last year, died in a motorbike accident on his way back from the Cape on Monday. He would have turned 66 tomorrow.

MARCH 22, 2017
Diesel was still employed on a contract basis by Phumelela to help out at its various racecourses.

Long-time colleague and friend Don Borchers said: “It’s a very sad thing that’s happened.”

According to Borchers, Diesel started out as the horticulturist at Gosforth Park Racecourse in Germiston, “doing the gardens and helping Roy Casey with the track”.

He continued: “When John Alexander moved across to Turffontein as CEO, he persuaded Stan to come across with him to do the gardens and help me with the tracks. A few years later, John moved me more into the buildings and Stan took more responsibility for the tracks.”

When Phumelela took over running horseracing in the region, Borchers became General Manager Racing Operations, leaving Diesel solely in charge of the Turffontein track.

On Borchers’ retirement, Diesel was given the position, with track managers at Turffontein, the Vaal, Randjesfontein, Kimberley and the Eastern Cape courses falling under his supervision.

“Stan was the most knowledgeable track manager I have ever had the privilege of working with. Not only was he the complete professional, but a top-class guy to boot. He always had a twinkle in his eye and an incredible sense of humour,” said former Phumelela horseracing executive Patrick Davis, who now works for Weatherbys in England.

He will be sorely missed by many according to Jo Henning, Racing Operations Co-ordinator, who worked with him for 17 years.

“He had a very jovial approach to life. Socially, he was very entertaining, having everybody in stitches. And he was an exceptional mentor.”

Diesel leaves his wife Michelle, sons Neil and Rick, step children Shane and Samantha and two grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

RIP

Did not know the man but what a wonderful job he did at the big T

RIP. a top cyclist in his younger days

Len Sham wrote: RIP. a top cyclist in his younger days

You are thinking of his brother who rode with/ against Ralph Smout. Stan was a good water polo player in his day.

Stan's cause of death was a heart attack, while riding his bike.

A good man taken too soon.

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