BONSAI | Remember Louis Nel
E-mails we received from BONSAI friends are copied below:
Hiermee my innige simpatie vir julle skielike verlies van Man, Pa, Broer, oom oupa, vriend en meer. Ons as bonsaiers het ‘n groot gees verloor.
Ingrid Vorwerk Marren
“Ek is jammer om julle in te lig dat Louis Nel vanoggend oorlede is. Hy is deur ‘n kar raakgery toe hy op sy oggend draf uit was.
Louis was een van die top Bonsai kwekers in die land en het ook hoë aansien geniet in die res van die Bonsai wêreld.
Sy lewenslustige uitkyk op die lewe en bonsai sal gemis word.
Ek wil net namens myself en die Kai ons innige meegevoel met René en familie deel. Ons bid vir hulle. Dit is ‘n geweldige verlies vir almal.”
Dear René, all the friends of Louis here in Brazil are very sad. I have no words to express these feelings. I have pictures of the dinner where I met you whith yours daughters Zonja and Paulette in the Charles Ceronio’s house. It will always be a sweet memory.
I hope God will comfort your heart and your childrens. I hope that forgiveness reaches your heart so you have peace now. There are many friends who are praying for you in this moment. Not only in Brazil but in the world.
My memories will always be a friend who was a friend of nature. He liked being so in touch, running, climbing, looking …
Receive a brotherly hug
From you brazilian friend
Dit was vir ons ‘n geweldige skok toe ons Woensdag verneem het dat Louis in sulke tragiese omstandighede gesterf het. Namens die Bolandse Bonsai Kai wil ek ons diepste medelye aan jou en jou dogters oordra.
Dit was vir my en die lede van ons klub ‘n voorreg om iemand soos Louis te kon geken het. Sy medemenslikheid, humorsin en daarby sy kunstenaarskap het hom ‘n unieke mens gemaak. Hy was die soort mens dat waneer hy ‘n vertrek binnekom, almal van sy teenwoordigheid bewus sou wees. Hy het net daardie “aura” om gehad.
Ek het Louis ‘n klompie jare gelede by die eerste Afrika Bonsaikonvensie in Pretoria leer ken. Ek was by julle aan huis om bonsaibakke te koop, asook sy boekie Buddleja Bonsai Buddies. Voorin het hy geskryf: “Ek hoop klein boompies lei tot groot vriendskap.” Inderdaad was dit so. Ek het hom daarna etlike ander kere sien optree, en hom ook genooi om ons op Stellenbosch toe te spreek. Ek onthou ook die dag toe hy en julle pragtige dogter van Stellenbosch by ons aan huis in die Paarl was.
Ons wens julle sterkte toe in hierdie moeilike tye. Ons hoop en bid dat die Liewe Vader julle die nodige krag sal gee om hierdie verlies te bowe te kom.
Our deepest thoughts are with all of you at this time, The International Bonsai community is sad because one of our best exponent artist has gone. On the other hand he has join a selected group of artist that are now doing bonsai in heaven along with Saburo Kato, John Naka and many other good friends. So he will be happy and will rest in peace.
He was one of the main speakers at the World Bonsai Convention here in Puerto Rico, a good friend and a extraordinary man. We will always remember his good sense of humor and the way he explain the African styles of bonsai.
On behalf of the Latin American Bonsai Federation(FELAB), The Puerto Rico Bonsai Federation (FEBOPRI) and my family our deepest sympathy to all.
Pedro J. Morales
President (FELAB) & (FEBOPRI)
Chairman of 6th World Bonsai Convention
It is still unbelievable that Louis is gone. He and I served on a committee together and we really got along. My husband, who always accompanied me on the WBFF business trips, really liked Louis and they always had a drink together. He even taught my husband an African song.
Louis and I became members on the WBFF Board at the same time so we worked together on many issues.
Roy and I send our deepest sympathy to his family. We were looking forward to seeing him. We will surely miss him in Takamatsu.
Our fondest aloha,
Roy and Jane Yamashiroya
Louis het ons daaraan herinner dat bonsai ’n “illusion’ is. As jy ’n bonsai sien moet jy jou verbeel dat jy na ’n groot boom kyk. Louis het vir ons ’n aanbieding gewys oor Phoenix graft en ook voorbeelde van baie mooi Phoenix graft bome gewys. Hy het ook drie sketse gewys wat hy moontlik met sy boom kan doen. Louis sê vir hom is daar ’n paar moontlike maniere om Phoenix graft te doen. Een is as die boom in die ou hout is. Dan is daar ’n boom agter dooie hout.
Die boom kan ook agter die dooie hout wees met die takke wat vorentoe gebring is. Takke kan ook rondom die dooie hout wees. Die boom kan ook net aan die een kant van die dooie hout wees. Louis het gesê dat wat jy nodig het, of mag hê is; ’n ou stuk mooi harde hout, ’n immergroen boom, iets om die lewendige boom aan die ou hout vas te heg soos gom, spykers, hamer, kleefband of draad. Jy het beslis geduld nodig en natuurlik visie.
Louis het toe sy ‘bottel’ harde hout uitgehaal tot groot vermaak van die lede. Daarna sy regte stuk harde hout waarin hy reeds vooraf ’n gleuf in gemaak het. Louis se immergroen boom wat hy gebruik het is ’n Koeniebos. Louis het toe die Koenie bos se stam binne die gleuf in die harde hout met spykers vasgeslaan. Hy sou by die huis die boom in ’n groot houer plant om ’n paar seisoene sterk te groei. Ons sien uit om die vordering van die boom in die toekoms te sien.
22 Responses to “BONSAI”
Caroll Hermann says:
Louis het my begeester met sy demonstrasies en hy kon jou vir ure in vervoering hou met sy verhale. Tot potte koop agter uit sy trokkie was vermaaklik. Ek kon hom bel oor my buddleja wat nie goed doen nie en hy sou later terug bel om te hoor of dit beter gaan. Wat hy persoonlik van my stokkies bome gedink het, het hy nooit laat blyk nie. Louis was n gentleman in die ware sin van die woord. n Groot leemte word gelaat in die bonsai gemeenskap.
Ek sluit ook vir jou boodskappe in wat ek op Facebook gesien het.
I am saddened to learn that my bonsai friend, Louie Nel, of South Africa passed away yesterday. Louie had a great personality and a wonderful sense of humor. He was a great asset to South African bonsai and to global bonsai community and he will be missed. If I learn more about his wishes and his family’s desires for remembrances I will pass them on.
Distressing news that we heard. The trees that Louis worked on, are in our bonsai garden. So, so sad. Your energy will always be with us. Luv I & J
Louis Nel was one of South Africas leading Bonsai Masters and was a man of great skills.
Our sinsere condolences to Louis Nels family. Louis was a grest bonsai man. we will miss him
Earl Glyn Knox Jefferys
Condolences from Kat River Kai to the Nel family.
sorry LOUIS WAS A GREAT BONSAI MAN
Is incredibly sad to hear of Louis Nel’s death this morning. He is was one my mentors and will definitely be missed by bonsai people all over the world. To his wife and family – our love and thoughts are with you.
A very sad day for the bonsai fraternity, will miss his quiet wisdom and great sense of humor.To his wife family and friends all my thoughts with you. Hennie
I am very saddened to hear of his death. What a tragedy.
What a charming, witty, knowledgable gentleman. Bonsai in South Africa is the poorer by his untimely passing. Condolences to the Nel Family.
Far Western Bonsai Kai Deon Kotze says:
You will be missed. We were very fortunate the he gave a talk at the Brat held this year at FWBA. Condolences to his family from the club.
Southern Bonsai Society says:
Our sincere condolances to the Nel family .
You will be greatly missed by Southern Bonsai as a friend and a mentor in Bonsai.
Robert Kempinski says:
To the Nel Family
On behalf of the global members of Bonsai Clubs International (BCI)
please accept our sincere condolences on the unexpected loss of your
Louis. We know what a terrible shock it must be. We still can’t believe
Louis was such a great inspiration and leader to the global bonsai
community. His brilliant outlook on life, sense of humor and most of
all his friendship will be sincerely missed.
900 Nelson Drive
Vincent Rea says:
I would greatly appreciate if you would please pass on my sincere condolence’s to Louis’s family:
– It was with great sorrow that I heard about Louis’s tragic accident. I hope that his dear wife,
Rene’ and his daughter’s, Paulette and Zonja will take comfort in knowing that he is in unison
Far West Bonsai Kai says:
Dearest Family and Friends of Louis Nel,
We join with so many others who knew Louis in offering our deepest sympathy on his passing. Although it is little consolation at this sad time, it should be of some satisfaction to know that in his passing you can celebrate the fact that he lived a full and productive life.
From those of us who were privileged to know him in the Bonsai world, each time he stood up to speak at a meeting, the assembly would hush and lean forward to hear what nuggets of information we could glean from such a master of tree lore. When he spoke to us of his trip to China at the BRAT meeting in January, he allowed us all to share just a little of the magic and enjoyment which he gained from his travels. It was an honour to have known him!
May you find peace and comfort in knowing that his loss is felt by all who practiced Bonsai together with him.
The members of Far West Bonsai Kai
Org jy het dit in n paar sinne Louis so akuraat beskrywe. Louis was beslis een van die Grot mense in ons Kai , soos in sy persoonlike lewe. Louis het nie net aanvaar nie. Louis new that Bonsai rules were man made and kept questioning them – he referred to himself as Rebel without a cause”
At our last meeting I asked Charles who’s lovely Kanniedood is this, he immediately replied Loui’s.
Oostelike Provinsie Bonsai Vereniging says:
Aan die familie en vriende van Louis Nel,
Ons innige medelye gaan uit na Louis se familie met die skielike heengaan van ons Bonsai Vriend.
Dit is ‘n groot verlies vir almal in die Bonsai geledere van Suid Afrika.
Ons sal hom beslis mis.
Van: Voorsitter en al die lede van
Oostelike Provinsie Bonsai Vereniging
Lionel Owen says:
What a shock it was yesterday when we received the sad news about Louis.
The Eastern Province Bonsai Society members got to know Louis over the years by attending conferences around the country and also having had him as a guest here in Port Elizabeth for a short while on his return from conference in Cape Town.
On behalf of the Chairman, committee and members we extend to you our deepest sympathies at your sad loss and ask that you extend to Mrs Nel and her family our sincere condolences. You are all with us in thought and prayer in this sad time.
Liewe Bonsai lede en familie van Louis
Louis se heengaan is ‘n geweldige verlies. Die wereld is verseker armer nou dat hy weg is.
Sterkte met julle Kai en mag julle nog lank Louis se stem hoor en sy entosiasme voel wanneer julle kreatief met julle bome werk. Mag sy lojaliteit en toewyding julle inspireer om nog meer te bereik.
Sterkte aan die familie met hierdie geweldige verlies. Mag julle Louis se liefde altyd met julle ronddra en krag van Bo ontvang om sonder hom voort te gaan.
Otto Koekemoer says:
The Pretoria Bonsai Kai mourns the untimely death of Louis Nel. Louis was an avid lover of nature and the outdoors and a very enthusiastic and skilled bonsai artist with international acclaim. He was an invaluable source of knowledge and inspiration to us all and he will be dearly missed by his friends at the club and indeed, by the whole of the bonsai world.
Duncan Wiles says:
Louis death has effected so many Bonsaiaists all around the World.
He was a Consultant on the World Bonsai Friendship Federation and was very proud of the position and took his job very seriously.
As Director on the WBFF board representing Africa he was a great help to me and did his best to promote peace by means of Bonsai.
It is going to be a difficult task to find a suitable replacement for him.
The South African Bonsai Association has lost a great ambassador as he always did his level best to promote the art of Bonsai.
Your are going to be sorely missed my great friend,
To the rest of Louis family may the Lord assist you in getting over this difficult period.
SA Bonsai Association President
WBFF Director for Africa
Beukes Kuit says:
Geagte mev Nel, dogters en familie.
Dit is met heimwee en groot hartseer dat ons, Kimberley Bonsai Kai, saam met julle van Louis afskeid neem.
Ons het Louis beleef as ‘n lewenslustige mens wat voluit geleef het, met baie sterk waardes. Hy het in Maart nog by ons gekuier in Kimberley en sy inspirasie het elkeen geraak. Daar gaan voorwaar ‘n leemte in elkeen van ons wees.
“Carpe diem” was nie Louis se strewe nie maar eerder sy realiteit.
Mag julle vertroosting vind in die woorde soos in Deuternomium 31:8 “Die Here sal voor jou uit gaan. Hy sal by jou wees. Hy sal jou nie in die steek laat nie, jou nie alleen laat nie. Moenie bang wees nie….
Errol Rubin says:
To the Family of Louis Nel,
The Easter Bonsai Society in Johannesburg was saddened to hear of the passing of Louis, a great friend and bonsai artist in such a tragic way.
Louis was a likable and knowledgeable bonsai artist and over the years he presented many demonstrations at our club. Louis had the ability to communicate his enthusiasm and passion for bonsai. He never turned away or scoffed at a question posed by advanced or junior grower alike and he would not hurt a fly. Who can forget his title “Rebel without a Pause” which baffled some people because Louis would never seek the limelight, but when he was demonstrating it became clear that there was a knowledgeable jester and there was a naughty streak hidden in this master.
In South Africa he was recognized as the Budlija King and many growers tried to emulate his flat top style, but Louis had an eye for the right Budlija bonsai stock to create this style and no one has yet duplicated this effectively.
EBS will truly miss the regular input we got from Louis over the years and behalf our committee and members, we send the family our condolences and courage to get through this tragic loss.
May Louis live on in the trees he designed and in those of us that learned so much from him
I. C. Su says:
To the family of Louis Nel
We wish to express our sincere condolences to the family. It is heart broken to learn what happened. Louis dedicated his passion to bonsai world, his contribution will be remembered by bonsai lovers.
Please take care yourself during this difficult moment, our prayer is with you all the time.
I. C. & Helen Su (Taiwan)
Roger Hnatiuk says:
We have just learned of the shocking and untimely death of Louis Nel. Our sincerest condolences to his many friends and family.
Louis visited Australia as a lead demonstrator at a national seminar in 2004. He left a trail of many people very impressed with this gentle, knowledgeable, wonderful person. He introduced many people on this side of the Indian Ocean into the delights of bonsai in southern Africa.
We will miss him greatly as so many others will also.
Ek is uiters spyt dat ek nie vir Louis beter geken het nie.
Ek was ‘n lid samet hom by die Bonsai Kai en ken eintlik maar net sy gesig! In ‘n mate is dit sekerlik ‘n goeie ding; dit sê hy’t nie ‘n plek en mense probeer oorneem nie.
Ek weet ook dat hy ongelooflik baie geweet het van Bonsais, soms wens ek ek kon sy kennis ge-erf het, sodat ons wat agterbly darem iets kan oorhou van hom!
Ek sal WAT gee, om ‘n boompie te kon hê wat AMPER soos sy ‘reuse’ lyk!
Die heeltyd tydens die hulde-blyk vanaf sy skoonseun en tydens sy begrafnis-preek, het ek gewonder wat van sy boompies gaan word!
Ek hoop waarheen dit gaan, sal die ‘nuwe-eienaars’ dit met die nodige respek, eer en moeite ‘behandel’…
Ek sal Saterdag by die ‘meeting’ hoor wat sê die mede-lede hieromtrent!
Hopenlik sal hierdie gebeurtenis alle mense om ons laat besef hoe maklik so iets kan gebeur!
Sterkte aan AL sy geliefdes, ek bid vir julle almal!!!
Hanna and Walter Pall are deeply shocked. We both met Luis in Australia and in South Africa and spent a few days with this wonderful man. I found these images of him which are published here:
Bergson Vasconcelos says:
Homage to LOUIS NEL
Speaks to both the starting
As well as death
But everyone forgets
Who makes a good story
Will always be present
See how it comes
From Louis Nel
People who won
With its simple way to be
Built his passage
In this immense eden
Igarassu. April 25, 2011 (Pernambuco – Brazil)
Written by Luiz Galvão
Nikunj Parekh says:
Louis Nel Family,
Saddened to loose a dear Friend . Please accept our condolences and offer our prayers to the departed soul. May AlMighty give peace and solace AMEN.
Louis wrote two nice features for our bonsai magazine and it was a peasure meeting him at the Bonsai conventions across the world.
Director: WBFF-India Region & Direcxtor BCI
by Walter Pall.
Kevin farquhar says:
Ek het nog nooit die oom ontmoet nie, maar sy bonsai het my ge inspireer om verder met die hobby aan te gaan. Sterkte aan sy familie en vriende. ek wil rerig nog by die pta bonsai kai aansluit, maar ek weet nie of my werk dit gaan toelaat, hopenlik sal ek die jaar kans kry.
Lindsay and Glenis Bebb says:
We offer our heartfelt condolences to you. Louis was a good friend and valued partner on the committee of the World Bonsai Friendship Federation. We always looked forward to catching up with him at meetings and conventions. The news of his passing was greatly disturbing to us. We have lots of fond memories and great photos and will treasure them for the rest of our lives. Rest in peace, Louis.
Midway Bonsai Society says:
We are all shocked at the passing of Louis. He was scheduled to dem at our next meeting and will be missed. To his family, we are thinking about you and you are in our prayers.
Midway Bonsai Society.