Alexander Abram Marie Van Dijk

Les Van Dijk passed away at his home on October 5, 2005, with his family at his side. He was 84 years old at the time of his death. He is survived by his loving wife Netty of 50 years, and three children, Saunder Van Dijk, Janette (Scott) Brown and Monique Van Dijk (Brent Mann), as well as five grandchildren, Fraser Brown, Max Van Dijk, Valerie Brown, Calder Brown and Lex Van Dijk. He is also survived b his brother Wim (Willy) and his sister Rietie (Adrian). He is predeceased by his sister Nora (Anton), mother Amena Olga and father Wilhelmus Lambertus Marie.

Lex was born July 8, 1921 in Den Haag, The Netherlands. Shortly thereafter he moved to Indonesia with his family where he grew up and enjoyed a happy youth. He returned to the Netherlands in 1936 to complete a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Delft. After his studies he worked for Shell in New Guinea. He loved the mountains and life in Calgary so much that he immigrated in 1952. He continued working as a geophysicist in Calgary and enjoyed a challenging and dynamic career in petroleum and later Petro-Can.

Lex took great pleasure in tennis, swimming, skiing, bridge and playing the stock market. He was an enthusiastic water polo player and was on the Dutch national team. Lex also brought these talents to Calgary where he and his brother Wim instigated the team participation and competition at Happy Valley pool. He enjoyed his travels throughout Canada and the USA, and during his retirement spent many happy times on the beaches of Hawaii and Mazatlan.

The family would like to give special thanks to our family physician, Dr. Franklin D. Collett, and our palliative home care nurse, Shannon Gibbs, as well as all our supportive friends and relatives.

Funeral Service was held on Thursday, October 13, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. at The Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd, 408 - 38th Street SW, Calgary, AB, with the Reverend Helen Belcher officiating. Interment of Lex's urn took place at Queen's Park Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 - 29th Street NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N2.

Foster's Garden Chapel, Directors

3220 - 4th Street NW

Calgary, AB T2M 3A5

Ph: 403-297-0888