I remember the first time I met you was in late '60. You came to my dad's on Christmas day. As a kid, I was amused and wondering what this 'bule' (caucasian) is doing at my house. I peeped from behind the curtain and you saw me there. You said hello to me but I was too shy and ran away... For few days you stayed at my dad's. We don't know each other's language but you often played with me, showed me some 'magic' with your hands. I also often invited you to play with me and my friends. It was funny...because we were tiny and you were so tall....often you had to bend down to do things on the floor or held the skipping rope made from rubber bands for us.... we giggled when you couldn't understand what we asked you to do..... I still vividly remember the expression on your face when you were confused, didn't know what to do to please us.....It was fun..... A a couple months later I attended your wedding and you became my uncle and we call you Oom Heerke.......Not long after that, you went home to Australia taking my beloved Tante Marietje with you.... and we only see each other every few years when you visited us on your holiday...... In 1989, with your help I was able to come to Australia and live there. You let me stayed at your house, you found me a job at your work...... Almost everyday, we went to work together. Sometimes, you took different route so that I could see different part of Melbourne. You showed me things we saw on the way to work and told me the story and history about it. We talked about many things but also there were days that no words were said.... just silent along the way...... You worried when I told you that I stayed back to do some extra work... you made sure that I know my way home before you left me.... For 17 years you became my father in Australia..... Your home became my home.... We shared many occasions there....birthdays, Christmases, Easters to name a few....... Oom Heerke, thank you so much for the caring...the laugh... the fun... everything that you had done for me. You will always be remembered! Good bye Oom Heerke..... Rest in Peace.......

Heel wat jaren geleden heb ik u leren kennen, een lieve oom uit het verre Australie. Samen met tante Marietje kwam u naar Nederland voor familie bezoek. We hebben fijne momenten gehad, ik weet nog dat u naar ons vakantiehuisje kwam en dat we gezellig met elkaar in de tuin hebben gegeten. Een paar jaar geleden kwam u opnieuw naar Nederland, samen natuurlijk met uw lieve vrouw tante Marietje, en maakte u een geweldig europatrip samen met uw lieve dochter Jacqueline en haar man Richard. Ook toen hebben we een paar fijne en mooie momenten gehad. Helaas leefden mijn ouders toen niet meer. Ik vond het fijn nog wat te horen van u over uw jeugd en over mijn vader, we hebben fijn gepraat samen. Ook was u altijd wel in voor een grapje. Ja mijn herinneringen zijn warm en goed aan u, u heeft een speciaal plekje in mijn hart. En nu moet u lieve vrouw Marietje en uw lieve kinderen, kleinkinderen, broers, zussen, neven en nichten u laten gaan. Voor u is het goed zo, voor ons allen een groot gemis. De familie en vrienden wens ik heel veel sterkte en ik hoop dat zij omringd worden door heel veel lieve mensen die hen zullen steunen en hen de kracht geven dit verlies te dragen. Rust zacht lieve oom Heerke, veel liefs uit Holland van Ada en familie -xx-