Lubberthus "Bert" Veen

Lubberthus “Bert” Veen, 94, died Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Lemay Avenue Health and Rehab Facility, in Fort Collins, Colorado after an eight-month bout with esophageal cancer. While the past months were challenging, to say the least, he never gave up and he never lost his fighting spirit. Bert was an extremely caring Christian man who embodied the very essence of integrity, generosity and compassion, and he’ll be forever remembered for his sense of humor and his love of people.

Bert was born on March 8, 1929, in Groningen, Netherlands to Meindert Veen and Sytske Veen-Holthof. He had an older brother, Cornelius and younger sister, Trijntje, both deceased.

On May 10, 1940, Holland was invaded by the German Army and for the next five years they endured Nazi occupation. It was a very difficult time with years of critical food and clothing shortages, not to mention, their loss of freedom. During the last year of the Nazi regime, Bert and his older brother, Cornelius, served as messengers for the local freedom fighter group, which fought to resist the German military. On one mission, Cornelius, 17, was captured and sent to a concentration camp where he remained until liberated by the United States and Canadian forces in April 1945.

After graduating high school in the Netherlands, Bert continued his education at a local junior college. While pursuing his degree, he applied for a visa to the United States, but before he could emigrate, he was drafted into the Royal Dutch Army in 1947, under the leadership of General Dwight D. Eisenhower (his idol), and served two years as a combat medic.

In 1950 Bert was granted a visa to the United States, at which time he made his way to Chicago, Illinois, and worked for the International Harvester Company. In 1951, eight months after arriving to the United States he was drafted into the United States Army. This time, due to his ability to fluently speak four languages, Bert was assigned to the United States Civil Affairs Military Government Unit in Germany, where he worked on General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s staff as a translator.

In 1953, upon completion of his two-year military tour of duty in Germany, Bert returned to Chicago and worked as a contract administrator for the Ford Motor Company, in the Aircraft Engine Division, and attended college at Northwestern University, at night, majoring in finance. On June 15, 1954 he was finally granted his United States Citizenship under then President Dwight D. Eisenhower, which he was extremely excited about.

In 1957 Bert accepted a job offer from Martin Marietta, which required him to move to Denver, Colorado. Not only was this a great opportunity for him professionally, but it turned out to be an even more lucrative move personally, because as luck would have it, that is where he met the love of his life, Juanita Bridge. The two married on November 24, 1960, and spent the next 42 plus years living their happily ever after (until her passing from Alzheimer’s in 2003). A few years later they moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, where he worked for Hewlett-Packard as an accountant, until he retired in 1996.

Bert loved the outdoors; he enjoyed hunting, fishing, whale watching and Arabian horses, but his true passion was to travel the world and sail the open water on his sailboat. In retirement he didn’t slow down, he continued to live his best life! He loved to explore new places, try new things and meet new people, and because of his passion for life, he went on countless adventures that took him all around the world.

Growing up in the Netherlands during an era that saw the Nazis invade and occupy their town, Bert knew all too well what it’s like to struggle. His family had very little money and they barely got by. Having grown up like that, and then living the American dream he had a strong desire to give back to the people of the community, when and where he could. This led to him being an active member within his church and local Kiwanis club, as well as a devoted community volunteer. Bert took great pride in helping others learn, grow and succeed in life.

Though saddened by our loss, we know that Bert is at peace with Juanita, and we cherish our memories of him…

Bert’s remains will be buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery, alongside is wife, Juanita. A graveside service is scheduled for August 9, 2023, at 1:15 p.m.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.allnuttloveland.com for the Veen family.