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Ryn Bodde, who many members will remember fondly, passed away on 7 September 2016. Ryn Joined the then CSSA in May 1973. He was re-graded to Full Member in October 1994, and was elected as a Fellow of the Computer Society of South Africa in recognition of exceptional services rendered to the National Communications System SIG and to the CSSA.
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Ryn was very involved with the National Communication Systems SIG, one of the earliest and most successful SIGs. He was awarded the 1991 Communications Personality of the Year for his pioneering work in developing a locally manufactured communications system based on the innovative integration of Hardware and Software technology. He was one of three finalists for the 1992 Computer Personality of the Year, in recognition for his significant contributions towards the South African Information Industry through the design, development, export and implementation of a locally developed, innovative Meteorological Message Switch System.
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Ryn served on Exco and as a Director for many years, including as the Honorary Treasurer from 2004 to 2008. He was instrumental in selecting and implementing the Goldmine system, which IITPSA still use as the Membership Management System.
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Ryn also took on the role of Acting CEO at the ICDL Foundation at short notice, and commuted from Pretoria during his time there.
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I last saw Ryn at the IITPSA Annual General Meeting a couple of years ago. As a true “IT guy”, he was still involved in developing systems, even though he was officially retired.
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Ryn is survived by his loving wife Rita.
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I am sad to know that I can’t look forward to seeing his smiling face at AGM’s anymore, but his favourite maxim “You can’t save yourself rich”, will stay with me forever.
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RIP dear colleague and friend.
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Moira de Roche.
