Tribute to Dr. Harold E. Robles: HOW HE WANTS TO BE REMEMBERED! In Memoriam dr hc Harold E. Robles October 8, 1948 - July 31, 2020 Harold Robles passed away on July 31, 2020. He was 71 years old. He leaves a big void, but his life’s work the Health Promoters - will be continued by the board of the Friends of HPSA (Health Promotion South Africa) foundation, including chairman Jisk Nijdam, treasurer Leo Winkelhorst and organizer / coordinator Regina Eggink. In South African townships, thousands of people die unnecessarily every year from ailments caused by poor hygiene and poor health knowledge. The Health Promoters provide local information about basic matters such as brushing your teeth, washing hands, sanitary hygiene and good nutrition. In this way, the local population gains a lot of practical knowledge. This knowledge leads to a drastic reduction in mortality among children, adolescents and adults. Harold Robles was a co-founder and driving force of the Health Promoters. Harold was a passionate man, a connector par excellence, convincing and charismatic. He was passionate about the good work being done in South African townships. A man of perseverance, someone you went through fire for. Numerous well-known Dutch people therefore selflessly joined Harold’s Health Promoters. In 2019 there was a successful golf event, Golf4Health, in Brielle and a fantastic gala evening in Wassenaar. More than twenty celebrities contributed selflessly to these events, such as Koert-Jan de Bruijn, Nelli Cooman, Olga Commandeur, Willem van Hanegem, Nurlaila Karim, Mariska van Kolck, couturier Ronald Kolk, Tom Okker, Lou Prince, Patricia Steur and Klaas Wilting. For his good humanitarian work, Harold was awarded two honorary degrees from American universities: Doctor
of Humane Letters from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut and one in 2010, Doctor of Public Health from American International College in Springfield, Massachussetts. In 2009 he also received a royal decoration, Knight of the Order of Oranje-Nassau. Several years ago, Harold was diagnosed with prostate cancer. In his characteristic way he went into battle: positive and energetic. He was in good hands at Erasmus MC. All records were pulled to heal Harold. Although there were occasional positive developments, Harold had to give in a few weeks ago. “The cancer has won,” he said in an emotional phone conversation recently. He passed away on Friday, July 31, 2020. Characteristic was his desire to suggest an alternative to flowers at his funeral. “Rather let people spend the money on the work of the Health Promoters,” he said. You can donate via the website: www.healthpromoters.co.za Support the Health Promoters in the Netherlands? Bank : Rabo Bank IBAN : NL 02 RABO 0304815535 BIC Code : RABO NL 2U Account Name: Friends of the Health Promoters Foundation Account No .: 072 260 548ANBI 855194030 Friends of the Health Promoters p / a Langeweg 34, 3233 LM Oostvoorne Tel: +31-0181-700241 The contact person is: Regina Eggink-Stolk Coödinator HP Nederland E-mail: info@healthpromoters.co.za LET US KEEP HIS WORK ALIVE AND WELL. THANK YOU ALL.
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