Fred Stephens, a conservationist and past chairman of the Stellenbosch Heritage Foundation, passed away. He arrived in Stellenbosch fresh out of school and spent a long and colourful life in the town. He wrote articles for local and regional newspapers, acted in amateur theatre productions and served on the committee of various conservation bodies. He also played a leading role for many years in the annual October commemoration of Simon der Stel on the Braak.