Samuel Sam Haskins and Ken Gillibrand

Ken Gillibrand

Ken Gillibrand and Konrad Haskins flying a Galoob toy helicopter.

The story went in our house that the cobbler's kids did not have shoes and we did not have family pictures. I found this picture when searching on the web for a dear old family friend Ken Gillibrand after Sam died. It is only one of three childhood pictures of myself I've ever seen, it's existence was unknown and I was not looking for anything this unbelievably rare, precious and special when I found it. The tiny toy pilots from the helicopter are in my shoebox of treasures to this day, it took me less than a minute to put my hands on them. This picture this was at my Oupa (Grandfather) Van Heerden's Farm in South Africa. There are two pictures of Ken that I could find on the Internet. This 1973'ish picture is the bio picture on two of his business websites. Finding it was a very emotionally intense moment. I woke up and realized I'd been talking with my dead father in a dream as we drove through Northcliff our suburb of Jo'burg. Ten minutes later I found this picture of an event I vividly remember and still have a the toy pilots in my treasures. I had no idea the picture existed but through a dream Sam connected me with this childhood treasure. Thanks Pa.

Ken was vintage car fan as was my father. Sam and he had many adventures rallying Vintage Cars around South Africa. Sam did a frame up restoration of a Model A Ford. Ken was a larger than life figure in my childhood. He built VW buggies, one was covered in orange shag carpet and was called the Soggy Mango. He managed the amazing feat of breaking it in half on the roof of Africa rally. I remember parties at his house normally ended with him jumping in the pool fully clothed, one time in a suit. He is one of South Africa's great inventors and it's good we are back in touch.

Ken Gillibrand and his VW Bug "Red Baron"

This is his reply to my email with the sad news. I'm sharing it because he sums up what I feel.

"Kondi. I am at a loss. I cannot begin to tell how saddened I am. I truly Love our Sammy and in my world he's still around. What a great guy, what a fabulous talent what a wonderful friend what a magic imagination. You are indeed the guy in the picture and I am most pleased to have made contact with you after all these years. Man I'm sad about Sam. I can't express how sad. I shall be in touch with your mom right away, I guess she is in great need of love and support right now. Sam is the greatest guy I ever new. I miss him, I am very sad.