“Prof Bart”, as he was generally known by students, grew up in die Bethal district and matriculated from Hoogenhout High School. In 1945 he became a student at the University of Pretoria and in 1950 he obtained a BD-degree. Later he obtained an MA in Semitic Languages (1957) and DD (with honours) (1967).

His first love was the church. He started his ministry in 1951 in the outstretched South-Rhodesia atthat time. From 1953 to 1970 he served congregations in Boksburg, Middelburg, Rustenburg, Pretoria and Centurion. He also made deep footprints synodically. From 1964 to 1989 he served as a member of the Commission of the General Church Meeting, the highest authority in the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa – the last seventeen years as Chairman.

After years of part-time lecturing at the University of Pretoria in Semitic Languages and later Bible Studies, he was appointed as Professor in Old Testament Studies in 1971. It became a season of fruitful academic labour. In 1987 he was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Theology (“Division A”). He soon earned recognition as being a hardworking and effective dean. With characteristic diligence he attendedto amongst other things, structural difficulties connected with a faculty with two divisions. He made a remarkable contribution to the preparation of the restructuring and amalgamation that came to realisation in 2000.

After his retirement, Prof Oberholzer became one of the main translators of the New Afrikaans Bible edition. After completing this, he became involved with various projects and publications that flowed from this translation project. The highlight most certainly is the Bible for the Deaf, one of the most popular translations of the SA Bible Society. At an event hosted by the Department Old Testament Studies on 15 March 2013, tribute was paid to Professors Oberholzer for his remarkable contributions made as Bible translator.

Prof Oberholzer also had a great interest in the history of the Great Trek and this led to the most comprehensive register of Voortrekkers names and how they were related, unfortunately unpublished, but nevertheless a valuable source of research. On a personal level this work brought about a wealth on anecdotes which he often, in his own characteristic humour, tapped into.

Lastly, he will be remembered as a loving family man and loyal friend. His marriage to Jienie Visser was a happy one. A son and two daughters were born from it. In 1988 the Order of Excellent Service, Class 1 was bestowed upon him – a dignified gesture of recognition to one of the most intelligent and diligent persons the University of Pretoria has ever known.