Anthony Giffard Obituary

Professor Emeritus Anthony Giffard

Tony was born on September 15, 1937 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa and passed away on April 20, 2018.

He worked as a reporter, translator and editor for the South African Broadcasting Corporation as well as the Argus Group of newspapers.

In 1961 he and his wife Paulette moved to London where he joined the foreign news desk of the London Times. They moved to Seattle a year later to study English at the University of Washington. He taught at the University of Southern Illinois for two years and also worked as a copy editor on the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

After returning to South Africa he founded the country's first School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Rhodes University in Grahamstown.

The UW School of Communications recruited him in 1979. He had also been a visiting professor at the University of Wisconsin, the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz and at Potchefstroom University in South Africa. He also served on the board of IPS (Inter Press Services) in Rome.

Anthony was the author of three books and numerous articles and papers on international communication systems.

From 1994 until 2002 he acted as Director of the University of Washington's School of Communications. In 2004 he inaugurated the Department's annual three-month study-abroad program in Rome. He retired from UW in December 2010.

Anthony will be greatly missed by his wife Paulette, his sons Johan and Andre, his daughter in law Janie, his grandson Hunter, and by the many students he kept in touch with over the years.

At his request there will be no funeral services.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on May 6, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Anthony Giffard

Sponsored by The Family.

9 Entries

Carolyn Byerly

April 30, 2023

So many good memories of working with Tony when I was a graduate student at UW. Blessings to Paulette and the family at this time of remembering his passing.

David Dowthwaite

December 12, 2021

Hello Paulette, Johan & Andre.
I am sitting in my home in Johannesburg, South Africa and thinking about my early sailing times with Tony. Crewing for him on Faminghals in Algoa bay, Port Elizabeth, man that was a long time ago.

I am now retired after 28 years as a financial adviser for Old Mutual.

I did get my ocean sailing yacht, although she is at the Vaal Dam.

Mom passed away in 1998, but she tell me of you reaching out to her before then.

Jennifer spent her career in journalism, maily at "" the star" in Johannesburg, she is now living at Henley-on-Klip near vereeniging. SShe is not well after an emergency Hysterectomy found cancer in that area, just started Chemo.

If you feel you would like to contact me. cell phone is 27824537991. email [email protected]

Love
Dave Dowthwaite

April 30, 2019

I miss you so much, Dad.

You taught us so much about how to live life with strong passion for your life partner and wife Paulette, and for family, and for friends, and for the magnificence of humanity and big nature.

Love forever.
J

Wendy Nunn

December 11, 2018

Wonderful memories flooding back from the days as one of Tony's earliest Rhodes Journ students.

Carolyn Byerly

August 17, 2018

Dear Paulette and family,
It was such sad news to learn of Tony's death from a mutual academic friend. He directed my master's thesis and doctoral dissertation in the late 1980s, and we remained in contact periodically for quite a few years. He was witty and eccentric and smart, and he brought out my own love of international research in the years we worked together. As his research assistant on the UNESCO study, I must have coded 5,000 stories -- he just kept bringing more! He was a good cook and loved good beer, and he was kind to his students. He lives on through the work he encouraged us to do. Carolyn Byerly, Washington, DC (Howard University)

August 8, 2018

Dear Paulette
I was very saddened to hear of Tony's death through a mutual friend and colleague. I had heard that he had suffered for some time, so I can only presume it was not unexpected. Still it came as a shock to me personally. I shall always remember him as a person with enormous energy who had a wonderful zest for life. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
Best
Les Switzer

May 11, 2018

John E Bowes

May 11, 2018

Tony was a staunch friend and very able colleague. I have many good memories of him as we collaborated in research and travel. I will miss him. God speed.

Johan Giffard

May 6, 2018

Tony loved riding his bike, sailing, hiking, camping, cooking, good food, poetry, travel, the Great Pacific Northwest, the University of Washington, and he always
lived life to its fullest.

Tony's biggest love was for his wife Paulette and to the rest of his family. He set a great example as a husband, father and grandfather.

He will be dearly missed.

Johan

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results