Peacefully, Kees passed away in Calgary, at the age of 93 years. Kees will be greatly missed by his sons Chuck (Sandra), Bart (Barb) and Rafe (Sharon); as well as grandchildren Lara, Jan, Sara, Vanessa (Mike), Lauren, Stephannee and Neil; and great-grandchildren Nikolas and Annika. He will also be lovingly remembered by his family in The Netherlands and Canada, and the many good friends he made throughout his life. He was predeceased by his wife, Marijke, in 2013, as well as his parents, brother and sister.
Kees was born in Zeist, The Netherlands. During the Nazi occupation of Holland in WWII, Kees had to spend some time in hiding to avoid being forced into the German army. After the war, he helped to repair the dikes of Walcheren, which had been bombed by the Allied Forces to clear the way to Antwerp harbour in Belgium.
In 1955, he obtained his engineering degree from the Technical University of Delft, and worked at the Hydraulic Laboratories until 1956. In 1955, Kees married Marijke Van Ouwerkerk, a speech and language pathologist. In January of 1957, they emigrated to Canada and landed in Winnipeg, where Kees began a long engineering career before retiring in 1986. This included positions with The Lakes Winnipeg and Manitoba Board, the City of Winnipeg, Wardrop and Associates, Manitoba Hydro, and Manitoba Telephone Systems. In his spare time, he obtained his Masters of Science degree from the University of Manitoba.
In 1986, Marijke and Kees retired to Victoria, B.C., where they were very involved with the First Metropolitan United Church, the local community and many dear friends. They spent time travelling and singing in the church choir, Kees also enjoyed woodworking, painting, photography and filmmaking through the Winnipeg Amateur Movie Makers.
Kees also chose to take better care of himself after being diagnosed with diabetes, he began to run, and train for marathons, completing at least 5. Soon after Marijke’s passing, Kees moved to Calgary to be closer to family. Kees was always happiest to see his family, especially his grandchildren.
Dad always believed he had a good life, and this was supported by four words from Psalm 23: “He Restoreth My Soul”.
A Celebration of Kees’ Life will be held at SOUTH CALGARY FUNERAL CENTRE, 12700 Macleod Trail South (at Lake Fraser Gate), on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to a charity of your choosing would be greatly appreciated.
Messages of remembrance may be left for the family at www.southcalgaryfuneralcentre.ca
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