Carolus Dirk Van der Heijden

Known to all as “Carl”, he passed away suddenly the evening of August 16, 2022 after emergency surgery due to a fall. He was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, the son of Antonius van der Heijden and Arendje (van Wyck). During his childhood in occupied Holland, he witnessed much suffering which gave him a keen sense of injustice and a rebellious spirit. Right out of school, he went to sea on ocean-going tugboats. Before age twenty, he’d sailed around the world and served as Able Bodied Seaman on passenger ships before emigrating to the US in 1960. He lived many years in NJ where he became an American citizen. He worked numerous jobs which included his own painting contractor business to support his family. As his children grew, he looked to return to sea and went back to school to obtain 1st Mate and Master Merchant Marine Licenses. He became a Deck Officer working as Chief Mate and Skipper sailing the Caribbean, as well as working in various other supervisory capacities in the steamship industries worldwide. In 1983, he moved to Maryland where, as Port Captain, he traveled from Houston to the Far East on an eight-week cycle. His final assignment was based in the Port of Baltimore overseeing the loading and discharge of freighters.

Carl loved the sea. After retiring to Florida in 2001, he had a small boat docked at his home, ready to enjoy the coastal waterways of the area. Over the years, he also took many ocean and river cruises. The last one, in June 2022, was a long-awaited Rhine cruise which had been postponed more than two years due to COVID restrictions.

He was strong, energetic and determined to build or repair whatever he set his mind to do despite some nerve-wracking consequences. It was difficult for him to slow down even as the years accumulated and his strength diminished. In the end, this was his undoing as he tripped and broke his femur with catastrophic results. He fought back with every breath until he could no longer fight.

He leaves his loving wife Barbara of 40 years, children Norman and Theresa, their spouses, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother and two sisters who live around the world. His life force and iron determination will be missed by all.

The funeral and committal are scheduled at Florida Memorial Life Event Center, 5950 US Highway 1, Rockledge, FL 32955 on September 16, 2022, beginning at 11 AM with a memorial reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to either The Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse or the IRCC Foundation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FloridaMemorialFH-Gardens.com for the Van der Heijden family.