A tribute to a remarkable academic Prof Robert Summers

Professor Robert Summers: 30 March 1940 – 22 September 2025

One of the remaining honorary members of the SA Society of Cosmetic Chemists, Prof Rob Summers died peacefully at his home on 22 September. He is survived by his wife Prof Beverley Summers, their three sons Neil, Andrew and Matthew, their daughter, Kate, and five grandchildren.

An academic who made a significant impact

Rob Summers was the Emeritus Professor of Pharmacy at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), formerly the Medical University of Southern Africa (MEDUNSA). He was born and schooled in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, and obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in pharmacy at Rhodes University, followed by his PhD from the University of Bradford in the UK.

He was, in succession, Head of the Schools of Pharmacy at the University of the North, University of Zimbabwe, and MEDUNSA, the latter of which he founded in 1983. Under his guidance, the School of Pharmacy at MEDUNSA became the only School in the country to offer pharmacy training from Pharmacists Assistant level to PhD. He also, with his wife and colleague Beverley, founded the Photobiology Laboratory at MEDUNSA which pioneered sunscreen testing in South Africa and went on to offer a range of safety and efficacy tests for products locally and internationally.

A lateral thinker with sharp wit

Prof Rob Summers was well known in health and pharmaceutical services management. He chaired or vice-chaired several provincial and national committees, including the National Essential Drugs List Committees for Primary Health Care and for Hospitals. He advised the National Department of Health on matters relevant to registration, production, procurement and distribution, and overall management of pharmaceuticals.

Prof Rob Summers published over 400 research papers, research reports, articles, books and chapters.

He was a lateral thinker and had a sharp wit. He lived a full life and was active almost to the end, graduating his last PhD student in May this year.

He had a life well-lived and leaves a strong legacy. May he rest in peace.

Obituary contributed by Profs Hannelie Meyer and Beverley Summers