Prof Leon Vivier (77), a former professor in Statistics and Econometrics at the University of Pretoria passed away on 9 April 2015. He is survived by his wife, Hendrien, their three children and five grandchildren.

Leon Vivier was professor in Statistics and Econometrics from 1986 up to his retirement in 1999. He received a BSc degree in Statistics in 1960 and a BCom degree in 1963. Prof Vivier followed this up with an Honours degree in Statistics in 1965, and later a MCom (Statistics) in 1969. Consequently he completed his PhD in Statistics in 1975, as well as a BCom (Hons) in Economics in 1977.

Prof Vivier started his career in 1961 as a researcher at the Central Statistics Services. Afterwards he respectively worked at the Maize Board and Sasol as a statistician. In 1969 he joined the University of Pretoria as a lecturer and was later promoted to Senior lecturer. From 1976 to 1981 Prof Vivier served as Chief Statistician at the Central Statistics Service. He followed this up with an appointment as Director at the Central Economics Advice Service. From 1986 to 1999 he was professor in Statistics and Econometrics at UP. Prof Vivier was study leader and supervisor for several master’s and PhD-students. He also was an inaugural member of STATOMET, the Bureau for Statistical and Survey Methodology of the Department of Statistics.

From 1999 to 2002 Prof Vivier was involved with the economic development of the Blaauwberg Municipality and the City of Cape Town. Until recently he was very active as a consultant at and primarily concentrated on training at small businesses and also acted as mentor for them. Prof Vivier was very involved in high profile projects and publications, for example the development of an inflation barometer for South Africa.

His funeral was on Monday 13 April at the Dutch Reformed Church Suiderstrand, in the Strand.