friends remember A doctor who made a difference.(News)

BYLINE: ANSO THOM

STUNNED friends have remembered Ivan Toms, who died yesterday at the age of 54, as a larger than life character who had tremendous energy and huge passion for the country he loved and served.

Small in stature, Toms, the executive director for city health, had a presence which could never be ignored as he made his boisterous voice heard whether at an official function or in the corridors of the Civic Centre where his office had sweeping views of the city he so adored.

"He was warm and generous and desperately proud of being gay," smiled Louise Robertson, a close friend who just over a week ago dropped Toms off at the Pick n Pay Argus …