Thirty years ago literature was still read in libraries and we would get reprints directly from the authors. So I had all these important reprints from the South Atlantic by “le Roex” when I met “Anton” at the Plume 2 conference 30 years ago. Anton was always modest no matter how important his research, or his position at UCT, and with this he stood out. He also stood out by his generosity to help others, here a typical photo of him lying under a car trying to fix it with my husband Matt on the legendary Nambia field trip of the Kimberlite Conference 1998. He taught us important life skills - how to cool a beer in the desert with toilet paper, how to cook a proper braai, how to distinguish Dassie shit from a rock. And he remains my role model for work ethics – like the energizer bunny he would keep going, no matter whether in the field, the lab or doing administrative work. I consider myself lucky for the many years of collaboration and friendship that followed, and being part of the le Roex family. Anton le Roex was a great scientist and great person. He will be missed.

Cornelia Class
 

I was privileged to be supervised by Anton le Roex during my MSc studies at UCT between 2007 and 2008. Because of his Faculty duties, I quickly learnt that the best time to catch him for a chat was between 7am and 8am, again after 5 pm. I used to think he was crazy for being in the office at 7am, but now I find myself in that same position at Wits. Through observation of his habits, I learnt the importance of planning ahead, the importance of discipline in research, and how to read and interpret the scientific literature. I have attached some photos from my first academic conference at the International Kimberlite Conference in Frankfurt, where Anton showed me the ropes and introduced me to other academics. Between the Steves, Craig, John and Anton, I could not have landed a better supervisory team for my MSc and a better introduction into an academic research career. Thank you Anton!

Karen Smit

I knew Anton in the legendary IAVCEI meeting of Cape Town in 1998, especially as co-chief in the post-meeting field trip in northern Namibia, to walk and deeply learn through the intrusions (where we also slept en plein air) and the Etendeka lavas and dikes, with another extraordinary co-chief and a crew of enthusiastic fieldmates -and husbands- wandering through Damaraland, and that also climbed up Spitzkoppe. But the Anton’s work on Atlantic MORB of the eighties was already well studied and assimilated by me since my PhD days….and so was his contribution to the geochemistry of the East African Rift volcanic rocks (Chyulu Hills!). For this reason I asked him to collaborate with us on the geochemistry and petrogenesis of the Madagascan volcanic rocks, receiving his enthusiastic endorsement, major involvement (challenging to have had such a coauthor and internal reviewer in the same place…), and his encouragement to continue to study rocks of a difficult land as is Madagascar, even during his very late days. No need to further recall the scientific advice and human skills of a topmost-class researcher, who strongly influences modern studies of oceanic and continental rocks also for his love for rigorous high-quality analytical output, certainly inherited from his masters (Erlank, Willis). The curious photo attached joins two mirabilis species of beings of our world, one was Dean of Science at UCT.
Thank you, Anton.

Leo Melluso, Naples, Italy.

It is with great sadness that I learned of Prof. Le Roux's passing. I will always remember him as the thoughtful and dedicated leader who guided the interview sessions that led to my first opportunity as a lecturer in economic geology. I still have a copy of my contract signed by him and framed. Although I ultimately chose to settle at Wits University, he continued to stay in touch, offering unwavering support and encouragement in my endeavors. Prof. Le Roux was a remarkably kind and compassionate person, always prioritizing the well-being of others. His generosity of spirit and genuine care for those around him will not be forgotten.

My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. May his memory be a source of comfort and inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Glen Nwaila

My deepest condolences - your memory and scientific endeavours will, however, be with us all forever.

Carl Robert Anhaeusser

It is with a very sad heart that I write this message. I knew Prof. Anton Le Roex as an undergraduate and postgraduate student. He taught us, igneous petrology, analytical geochemistry and field mapping. He is remembered as a kind, strong and inspirational figure in the UCT Geological Sciences Department. He gave me valuable academic advice at critical times in my student career. I thoroughly enjoyed the student fieldtrip he led to Namibia (together with Prof. Hartwig Frimmel) mapping adomellites and a variety of other interesting igneous rocks. To me, he will be remembered as an exceptional scientist, teacher and leader. The last time I saw him was at my PhD graduation. I wish I had another opportunity to meet him to tell him thank you for contributing and having such a positive impact on my career. His passing is a great loss to the geoscience community. My deepest condolences to his family, academic colleagues and friends.

Eugene Gerald Grosch

A term that I invariably associate with you, Anton, is “pathetic”, often used in discussions on poorly performing students. You having left us for other, hopefully better, pastures so early, I find really pathetic. I had the great pleasure of working with you for so many years during which you grew from an enthusiastic young researcher to the best head of department UCT could have wished for the geosciences at a critical time when Geology and Geochemistry merged into a single department. You were the guarantor of quality, be it in science or departmental and later university management as well as academic education. To me you were a role model, the best possible companion on >15 field trips to sometimes very exotic places, and at the same time a very dear friend (thank you for having been best man at my marriage!). We will sorely miss you and always remember you not only for good parties, cold bear around a campfire or a braai at your leopard-teeming mountain resort, but also for your unwavering high standards, be it in quality control, ethics or friendship. Thank you for having allowed me to go some paths together with you!

Hartwig Frimmel