OBITUARIES

Alan John O’Brien 23 March 1961 - 26 May 2021

It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the sudden passing of Alan O’Brien.

Dorothy Eileen Westerman, was the second eldest child of a large family of 11 kids.

Alan’s interest in property started very early with a timber trainee cadetship with Manukau Timber which led to building with Universal Homes and then Sales Manager for Reid Construction. Not to be limited to property construction, Alan included another interest of his and was part of the Yacht Building and Services team, building custom yachts for the international market and working on KZ7 (“Kiwi Magic”). Alan O’Brien started his career in real estate in 1990 with Ray White in Henderson, West Auckland. After 16 years it was time for a lifestyle change and a move to the Bay of Islands in 2016 with his young, growing family. Alan started with Harcourts in Kerikeri that same year as Bay of Islands Realty Limited’s Group Sales Manager. During his time in real estate Alan was an experienced auctioneer, award winning commercial sales and business broker and residential salesperson teaming with his wife Nikki for the past two years. The move to Kerikeri allowed Alan to find balance between real estate, family, a passion for fishing and classic American cars especially V8 muscle cars, having re-built three. Alan was a loving husband and father of his five wonderful children. He will be greatly missed.

Following her early nursing years, Dorothy met Paul Westerman in Hastings, where they were married in 1949. The newly weds moved to Taupo that year where they cleared an overgrown section on the corner of Kiwi and Tui Streets and set about building their first home. Taupo is where the Westerman family would raise their nine children and where Dorothy got her first taste in Real Estate, where she cleared another section they purchased in the back end of town and sold it for three times the price, thus sowing her real estate seed. Dorothy had a sense the town of Taupo was on the cusp of a boom and set about her real estate career that was initially fraught with road blocks in a male-dominated industry. Having been denied her licence at the first attempt through opposition from her competitors, Dorothy took the matter to court where the magistrate overturned that decision, thus making her one of the very first females in New Zealand to be a licensed agent. And so the mother of nine set off on what was to be thousands of real estate transactions over the next four decades.

An extremely driven woman, as well as raising nine children and creating a successful business, Dorothy was also a Taupo District Councillor for 21 years, helping to shape the prosperous town it is today. Along the way, she also gained her private pilot licence, attained School Certificate in Te Reo Maori and completed a significant subdivision in Acacia Bay, Taupo. She was a hugely dedicated mum, grandmother, great grandmother and great, great grandmother. Her legacy lives on in the landmark building she built in Taupo’s CBD where her daughter Yvonne Westerman and the next generation of real estate agents in the Westerman family continue the successful business she forged many years ago.

Dorothy Eileen Westerman

Michael Patrick Maria Robbers (Mick)

10 June 1947 – 14 June 2021

Mick will be eternally missed and forever loved by his family and friends.

Mike Green, Executive Director Harcourts International says, “Mick was larger than life – a big man, a big personality and a big heart. He played an integral role in the evolution of Harcourts for over 30 years – as a Regional Manager and part of the leadership team, and as a franchise owner.

Mick was also a member of the Harcourts Hall of Fame which recognises the massive contribution he made.” Close personal friend, Ray Marshall at Harcourts Team Group Realty says, “Mick was a person who enjoyed seeing other people succeed and he assisted and mentored them to ensure they did. Mick earned the respect of many clients and friends over his many years with Harcourts and through his contacts with his beloved Marist Saint Pats Rugby Club. This was very evident by the 700 people who attended his farewell service on the Kapiti Coast. Mick will be missed by those who knew him well.”

Southland Real Estate founder Gus Johnston said Neil was held in such high regard by all those he had dealings with, and the community response reflected that. “We were overwhelmed by the support that we received but not surprised,” he said. Messages of sympathy flooded in not just from the real estate industry and related professional businesses, but also from many clients. Neil had worked in the real estate industry since 1985 and started with Southland Real Estate in 1994, just a year after it opened. Incredibly loyal and parochial, he loved working for a business that was Southland-owned and operated, and was proud to have been accredited with the coveted AREINZ status, Gus said. “He was a highly successful salesperson who was well respected in the industry. Neil was someone that people could rely on – if he said he was going to do something he would.” Out of the office, Neil embraced being active as a cyclist, runner, and golfer, and loved horse racing. He was a passionate member of The Chosen One syndicate, the Southland-owned horse that finished fourth in the 2020 Melbourne Cup. “Neil got on really well with people – a real people’s person. He was just an all-round good guy who, sadly for all of us, was taken too early and is sorely missed by his colleagues and the wider community.” Neil leaves behind his wife Raewyn, and three children, Olivia, Mitchell, and Hadley.

Neil van Schaik AREINZ

The sudden death of Invercargill real estate stalwart Neil van Schaik on May 1 wasn’t just felt by his colleagues, but by all those involved in the Southland industry.

Ross Harold Shaw AREINZ

4 August 1944 – 21 June 2021

It is with sadness we confirm the passing of one of the old guard of real estate in New Zealand, Ross Shaw.

Shaun Tong sadly passed away after putting up a genuinely heroic fight against liver cancer. He was only 55 years old.

Ross was a stalwart of the industry and worked under a number of banners, including First National EV. Arthur, Shaw Reality, Harcourts and Buller Real Estate before retiring upon the successful sale to Hastings Mcleod/Property Brokers. Ross was a long-standing member of the Institute and often drew upon its support and stood by its reputation, regarding it as sacrosanct as far as all matters of real estate. Along with his best friend and compatriot, Frank O’Donnell, Ross lived through a real variety of times and if it had happened in the game, it had happened to Ross. Ross was everybody’s friend and was well known for his love for his family, in particular his responsibilities as a grandfather, and always had a story or two about one of his adventures with the grandkids in tow. Ross was a firm believer in the value of trust and if he gave his word, he meant it. He struggled somewhat with our current compliance-based industry and yearned for a return to the old ways, where your signature on a piece of brown paper, was sufficient evidence of intent. Ross loved the outdoors and was a long-term runner, tennis player and a keen traveller.

Sadly, four weeks after Ross’s passing, his wife Julie also passed away on Monday 19 July. Ross and Julie are survived by their three children.

A key member of the Property Brokers family for 25 years, Shaun sold over 880 properties in the Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu regions throughout his career. Tong was a great man, an outstanding realtor and a cherished friend to many. He handled his diagnosis and ensuing battle in the same laconic, positive manner in which he approached every day. Shaun passed away at Cranford Hospice on May 13th, and, together with Property Brokers, will be remembered by family, including his wife of 24 years, Mandy and son, Jesse. Shaun was a man of true integrity who will be sorely missed by all lucky enough to have known him. He would always say that there was nothing special about him; he just “ran a good process”. Everyone knew that Shaun wouldn’t let you down or talk you up. He was too genuine for that sort of carry on. Our sincere condolences go out to all of Shaun’s beloved family and friends. And while we, too, grieve, we are proud to honour his life by keeping his memory alive.

Shaun Tong

Stuart Whyte 25 April 2021

It is with much sadness to report that long serving Harveys Real Estate business owner Stuart Whyte passed away on April 25, 2021.

A true gentleman and real estate professional died unexpectly at the age of 83. He came peacefully and quietly into this world and that is the way he left, just as he wanted it.

Stuart had been in real estate for more than 30 years, and was the owner of the Harveys Levin, Paraparaumu and Otaki offices. He passed away suddenly after a short illness at the age of 60, and left behind his wife Jan, and two children Cameron and Josh. Stuart was a highly respected and valued member of the Harveys family since October 1990 when he opened the Harveys Paraparaumu office. During his tenure, Stuart won several awards, motivating his team to win Top Small Office in 2014 and 2019 across the LJ Hooker and Harveys New Zealand Group. His property management team also went on to claim Top Property Investment Management Office with more than 300 property managements in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Stuart will be remembered for his sense of humour, easy-going personality and being an all-round good bloke. He contributed a lot to his local community, and he was well respected by everyone he worked with. We would like to thank Stuart for his contribution to the real estate industry and the Harveys brand. His legacy will live on with his family and the team at Harveys Levin, Paraparaumu Beach and Otaki.

George made his name in the mid Canterbury Area of Methven where his family had settled. He met and married Dawn a local lass and they had three children: Andrew, Mandy and Victoria. Dawn and George were very involved in their local community and parish around the Sheffield and Springfield areas, where George continued his interest in farming. In the early 1970’s George started his Real Estate career with Beazley Packard and Chamberlain where, along with his in-depth knowledge of farming, he became prominent within the Canterbury farming area. He built his name on the basis that “his handshake was his word”. He had a stint with Pacific Real Estate, before moving to Challenge Real Estate which flowed into First National where he held the Rural team together for some 25 years. Handling everything from lifestyle properties, subdivisions, luxury lodges, and farms right up to the High Country Stations. He had a great understanding of what both vendor and purchaser were seeking in a transaction. Along with his laid-back personality, nothing phased him and he was more than happy to see both parties content. George had the hands-on experience to achieve a fair and smooth transition for all those involved in the transaction with a smile on his face and this was always an inspiration to those working alongside and under him. George has been an outstanding servant to the Real Estate Community and will be long remembered. To Dawn and his wider family our thoughts and prayers will always be with you.

George Logan 1937-2021