Former NZNF Pres. David Saunders Passed

Former NZNF and Pineglades President David Saunders passed away 18 Feb 2025.

"I am writing to inform you all of very sad news.

On Tuesday evening, a well known and respected member of our community said his final goodbye to this earth, and so it is with a very heavy heart that I need to inform you of the passing of David Saunders.

He was a member of Pineglades for 50 years, having joined when he was 21 as a Canterbury University law student. He also served on the NZNF for 4 years - 2 years as SIVP and 2 years as NZNF President, before retiring at the recent AGM held in December. He was the president of Pineglades, but even after that, continued to support the club and committee.

David was a district court judge for 27 years before retiring a few years ago. Being a retired judge, David could offer his expertise and skills in the field of legal advice and assistance to clubs, and in particular, to assist clubs and the NZNF with updating their constitutions for the new Incorporated Societies Act.

Even after the recent AGM when he was no longer NZNF President, David still helped the naturist cause. In his last message that he sent to me a few weeks ago, he offered to have the plaque engraved for Orchard Club's 50th anniversary, and mentioned his wish to present it to Orchard Club, as past NZNF President, and a longstanding supporter of the club. (this was sadly right before his health deteriorated and he was hospitalized).

David was a very knowledgeable, generous and kind person, always thinking about the welfare of others and the naturist cause. I could always ask him for advice anytime, as others did, since he was a very approachable person, always willing to listen.

Though most of us were aware that David had cancer, the shock of losing him so soon is difficult to comprehend, and we especially think of Donna, his wife, and his children and grandchildren during this difficult time, as we carry them in our hearts and thoughts.

The NZNF had postponed sharing the sad news for a few days, to provide some privacy for his family in their time of bereavement. David offered an immense amount of devotion to Pineglades, the clubs, and the NZNF, but he was also a beloved husband, father and grandfather, and it's the little things that will be missed most about him.

From a personal level, one of my last memories of David was at the recent NZNF Festival at Pineglades, where he let my son drive his train set, and remarked on how his grandson loves driving it. In some ways I feel that he was like a "fatherly" figure to most of us.

David's energy and contributions are edged into the naturist community, and it will stay on, for us to keep and to build upon, as we will cherish his memory - today, tomorrow and always. His life on this earth may have come to an end, but his memory never will.

Here's to David Saunders.

Kind regards,
Alice de Wet
NZNF President"

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