We were deeply saddened this week to hear that one of Kingswood’s most illustrious alumni, Graham Beck (OK 1946) had passed away in London at the age of 80. Mr Beck was one of South Africa’s  foremost wine producers, although he was as well known for his mining interests and as a top horse breeder.  Mr Beck made it possible for Kingswood College to purchase the valuable City Lords land back in 1971, and returned to Kingswood in 2008 to attend the opening ceremony of the Graham Beck Pavilion at City Lords.  He took great joy in seeing how the City Lords land had been transformed into a valuable asset for the school, with the Astroturf, rugby field and the rejuvenated Wyvern Club.  He greeted the pupils and guests at the opening ceremony with the words, “Welcome to my school”, before telling them some stories about his days as a pupil at Kingswood.  Mr Beck has been hailed as a business visionary and generous philanthropist.  The Graham Beck Pavilion at Kingswood will stand as both a tribute to his generosity and an inspiration and example to the generations of Kingswood pupils who will learn about his extraordinary success and accomplishments. Our thoughts are with his wife Rhona and his family at this time.