UCT mourns loss of Associate Professor Kevin Rochford

The UCT community is in shock following the death of Associate Professor Kevin Rochford and horrified at the way in which his death occurred.

Rochford was shot on Tuesday night, 22 April, in what appears to be an attempted hijacking in front of his home in Little Mowbray.

He was an associate professor of science education in the humanities faculty.

Rochford graduated with a BSc from Melbourne University, then gained a BEd with distinction, an MEd with distinction, and a PhD, all from the University of Cape Town.

As a student and young teacher in Victoria, he commenced his career by building a small amateur astronomical observatory with six telescopes in the early 1960s.

He contributed significantly to the academic enterprise over more than 30 years. During the past 17 years, he and his students contributed more than 30 articles to the Global Journal of Engineering Education and its forerunners, and associated international conference proceedings.

Rochford also made his mark in many other leading activities, including sport at UCT, and particularly in running. He had the longest unbroken membership of any UCT sports club in our history and initiated non-racial long-distance running events in 1974.

Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Njabulo S Ndebele expressed his sorrow and condolences to the family.

"We will remain in touch with Professor Rochford's family and our heartfelt sympathies are expressed to all his family members, colleagues, friends and students."