Hendrik Willem Bollen

Hank served in the Dutch Army from 1947 to 1950 and was a member of the Military Band, where he played the drums. During his time in the Army, he was deployed to the Netherlands Indies aboard the ship De Zuiderkruis. Shortly after returning home, he married Emmy Boland at the Nederlandsche Hervormde Kerk in Bredevoort on April 16, 1952. They began their life together in Bredevoort before moving to South Africa in 1955, traveling once again on the De Zuiderkruis from Rotterdam to Cape Town — a journey that took more than three weeks. After seven years in South Africa, the family returned to the Netherlands before later immigrating to the United States.

Hank’s work took him around the world, with travels to Australia, Russia, Italy, Israel, England, Ireland, other European countries, Canada, and the United States. He worked as an engineer for A.E. & C.I. for eight years. Later, while working as a mechanic for Van Katwijk, he sold and installed egg grading and packing machines for the Dutch company Staalkat. When Staalkat opened a sales office in America, arrangements were made for Hank to work there.

On November 18, 1966, Hank and his family immigrated to the United States, departing from Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam and arriving in New York. From there, they made their way to Michigan and eventually to Evansville, Indiana. After two years, Hank was offered a position in Norco, California, where he began working for Norco Egg Ranch. He remained there from 1969 until his retirement in 2010 at the age of 83. He was known for his strong work ethic, steady presence, and deep devotion to his family.

Hank enjoyed taking photographs, collecting postage stamps and coins, watching Dutch voetbal (soccer), and raising birds. He and Emmy owned and operated Hollandia Bird Farm in California for sixteen years. Affectionately called “Opa” by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, you could almost always find him with King peppermints and Tic Tacs tucked into his shirt pocket. He truly enjoyed a good meal, snacks, and desserts.

Hank is survived by his children, Bart Bollen (Char) of Dallas, Oregon, Maja Bollen of Corona, California, and Wietske Ligtenberg of Las Cruces, New Mexico; his grandchildren, Jeff Bollen, Jason Bollen (Christina), Jeremy Bollen (Andrea), Everett Ligtenberg, Tiffany Ligtenberg, Brian Bollen (Kristin), Hannah Bollen, and Sarah Bollen; numerous great-grandchildren; and extended family residing in the Netherlands. He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty years, Emmy Bollen; his son-in-law, John Ligtenberg; his parents; and his siblings.

His quiet strength, warmth, faithfulness, regular talks, and nightly phone calls will be deeply missed.