Theo obtained his teaching qualification from the Johannesburg College of Education. His first teaching job was at Monument Primary School in Krugersdorp. He moved to Bryanston Primary School and was promoted to Head Teacher within three years.
At the age of 26, Theo was appointed as the Deputy Principal at Bryanston Primary. When he was only 29 years old, Theo became the Principal of Greenside Primary School, the youngest principal ever appointed by the then Transvaal Education Department.
After 28 years at Greenside Primary, he returned to Bryanston Primary School as Principal.
In 1990, he was head-hunted by SAHETI School, where he spent 12 years as Headmaster.
Theo accepted a business offer in Switzerland but within a year returned to South Africa to pursue his passion in education.
He was appointed as Head of the Tora Academy – after a long and grueling interview with the Rabbi. It counted in his favour that he was single, ‘alternative’, Afrikaans-speaking and fluent in English and had a religious upbringing in the Anglican Church.
On retirement, Theo was appointed as a Regional Director at ISASA.
He loved the theatre, music and cooking. His students and colleagues will remember him for his unbelievable kindness, generosity and willingness to lend a helping hand.