The Department of Botany, and especially his colleagues who work in the teaching laboratories, will sorely miss Robert Jacobs, who died of a heart attack on Tuesday 8 March. Robert joined the university in August 1983, working first in the Building Services Section on the Groote Schuur Campus. In January 1986 he was transferred to the chemistry department, where he first worked as a member of the cleaning staff and as a departmental messenger. After restructuring of the support staff in the Faculty of Science, Robert came to botany in June 1989. He worked his way through the ranks and in November 1990 he was promoted to departmental assistant. In 1998 he became the laboratory assistant of the first-year laboratory, where he has worked for the past 12 years. This classroom is the space where botany students come in contact with practical science work for the first time in their careers. His contribution will always be remembered and appreciated as there are many generations of science students who benefited from his dedication to maintaining and preparing the teaching venue for many practical sessions. Robert is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren, to whom UCT presents deepest sympathies. He will be remembered as a good colleague, a friend and committed employee who was always ready to go the extra mile to help in of the department.