Death of David Bourne

David Bourne, a leading demographer and statistician the field of HIV in South Africa and a chief research officer in the School of Public Health and Family Medicine, died suddenly on 24 February. He is survived by his wife, Lesley, and his sons Gerald and Jonathan.

Bourne's career at UCT spanned 34 years, his research covering a wide range of public health fields, including the economics of health care in Southern Africa, climatic impacts on human health, and the impact of the HIV epidemic.

His willingness to put science ahead of political considerations sometimes put him in conflict with officials and agencies, said the school's director, Professor Leslie London.

"We remember him as a person whose enthusiasm, energy and collegiality was iconic. Although data was David's passion, his family was his love. Lesley, Gerald and Jonathan were always close to David's working life, sometimes in person, but always in spirit.

"His death is a deep, deep loss to all of us."

The Faculty of Health Sciences will host a memorial event in the lecture theatre of the Student Learning Centre on Tuesday, 3 March 2009, at 13h30.