Obituary: Gary Block: deputy principal loved by all

GARY Block, who had a heart attack at the age of 46 while rehearsing a school play, was the legendary deputy principal of King David High School in Linksfield, Johannesburg.

He was a strong organiser who made things happen, efficiently and on time. In the 24 years he was on the staff hardly a sports tour, cultural trip, school play, leadership programme, encounter group, school magazine, matric video, assembly or open day took place without Block sweating over the logistics, schedules, itineraries, time tables, bookings, flight plans and accommodation arrangements.

He led trips to Israel, Argentina and Australia. The school, which has produced many of South Africa's most successful entrepreneurs and professionals, was his passion and his life. He was there on weekends and holidays and on school days, from early in the morning to late at night.

He taught Jewish studies and, initially, accounting. A small man with a big presence, he inspired his pupils to think big and do more than they ever thought they could. They, in turn, worshipped him. He had the rare talent among teachers of being able to dish out punishment without being resented for it. His catch phrase was "God help you!", as in: "If you're not on time for the start of rehearsals, God help you." Pupils would be there. On time.

Probably his greatest passion was producing the school's annual Purim play, a dramatised story of Jewish survival. It was his brainchild and he turned it into a much-loved institution.

It was written, directed and choreographed by the pupils and had about 200 children on stage. Block developed a sound and lighting unit - consisting of pupils - that became the envy of schools around the country.

Working indefatigably behind the scenes, he was the guiding spirit behind the play's resounding success, year after year and without fail. He poured such enormous passion into it and got so stressed out as opening night approached that someone watching him in action wondered if the play would be the end of him one day.

Born on December 8 1965, Block went to King David as a nursery school pupil and, apart from a brief break while at university, never left it until the day he died.

He is survived by his mother, Rhona, with whom he lived, his sister, Karen, a niece and a nephew.