Kees Peperkamp
19 April 1948 - 8 March 2010
With Kees Peperkamp we lose an outstanding humanitarian, always ready to
help others with deeds, not with only words. A no-nonsense, often brutally
honest, straight-in-your face friend as people from his region (North
Holland) in general usually are. I was not born in the region, but lived
half of my life there. We do not mince words & do not have much patience as
we prefer taking action over lengthy discussions. We love making decisions,
and sometimes find out that they were the wrong decisions.
Surprisingly for someone we all seemed to know so well,
we do not know much about Kees’ private life. This was part of his
character: better get down to business, rather than discussing subjects that
are “not important, and none of your business anyway!”, as he could have
said himself.
For many years, Kees used to work on an oilrig,
drilling offshore at various locations in Asia. That is where he suffered a
serious accident. His carreer as a driller was over, and Kees decided to
settle in Thailand. Like all of us, he had fallen in love with Thailand’s
warmth and charms, as it was the stopover for his trips from the oilrig to
the Netherlands to visit relatives and life-long friends in his native town
of Alkmaar, famous for its Edam cheese market. In Thailand he met and
married Tek 25 years ago and they became inseparable, sharing life with
members of Tek’s family. They will miss him dearly, as he meant so much to
them. We wish Tek and her family strength and perseverance to overcome
the loss of Kees.
After a few less-successful ventures, he became an
insurance agent, first as an assistant, later as the owner of Surin
Insurance Agency. His niece - trained by Kees for many years - and wife will
continue the company. The insurance business put him in a perfect
position to use his natural talents to help others. Not only with insurance
matters, but also with almost any other question you might have. He
became the trusted friend of many. Dutch expats, but also Belgians, Germans,
Brits and so on. As a very much down-to-earth, no-nonsense man, he had no
problem at all in speaking foreign languages even though he had never
studied them. Like in other matters, his language of the heart conquered all
obstacles. Amor Omnia Vincit. Love, combined with understanding, conquers
all.
During this time he became a Rotarian, a natural choice
for someone with his social abilities, both in dealing with other people and
in helping others. He was very loyal, a man of integrity, kindness and
honesty. Yes, he could be somewhat abrasive at times when speaking his mind
without mincing words. But these were words straight from the heart, and
that is why everyone accepted his unwrapped realism. He was not a great
orator or writer, but when you feel the heart, who needs big words?
After working long hours and living modestly for many
years, he finally started to enjoy more of the good things in life. In
recent years he built a new home for Tek and himself, they made a rare
vacation trip to Macao - he did not like to travel and rarely left Pattaya
- got himself a huge-screen TV to watch his favorite football games, and
recently bought new cars for Tek and himself. A new phase in his life had
started, only to be disrupted by a terrible illiness for which there was no
cure.
With Kees passing away, we not only lose a best friend &
colleague, but also a great humanitarian, always active with helping
the disadvantaged in our society, especially children. He was very much
‘hands-on’ involved in nearly every community project carried out by his
Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya of which he was President in 1996-1997, and
also in other community service activities in & outside Pattaya. He never
said ‘no’ to anyone justifiably asking for help. He always
succeeded. Although he was not religious, these beautiful words symbolise
his life: ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’
I lose one of my best friends. Kees was my Sponsor when I
joined Rotary. I helped him in the year that he was Club President. Sure, we
had our arguments, sometimes with heated debate that shocked others, but we
always remained friends as we respected each other for what we are & what we
did. In the course of several years he sponsored several of ‘my’ projects,
and often asked me to ask for more.
He was not an intellectual person, but his heart was
much, much bigger than many who really should know better. He never accepted
that it takes money to raise money, or that doing ‘1,000’ takes about the
same effort as doing ‘100’. He loved Rotary with heart & soul and was immune
to in-fighting. Kees never wanted to be ‘in the middle of the picture’, even
when he more than deserved it. Modesty was his signature. A more loyal and
dedicated man is hardly found.
Kees, I miss you. Thank you for your example! And thank
you for all you did for others!
Farewell, Kees, rest in peace. Although we lose a Great
Friend, your example, inspiration, dedication and sense-of-duty to help
others live on in many of us. We owe & thank you for these precious gifts!
Love & Care!
Martin Brands
Charter President
Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard
I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the death of
our friend and colleague Past President Khun Kees.
I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to his
family and all Rotarians. I was very fortunate to have worked with Khun Kees
in the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya and I warmly remember his enthusiastic
and skillful support to any project. He was a very kind person who was
always willing to give his time and knowledge.
I am deeply saddened that we will not have him around us
anymore.
God took him in his loving arms
He saw he needed rest
His garden must be beautiful
For He only takes the best
Peter Thorand
Charter President
Rotary Club of Taksin Pattaya
We are all mourning the loss of our good friend and
colleague. He was the most honest and sincere person I think I have ever
met. He will be missed by all. Everyone who knew Kees liked and respected
him. He was a true Rotarian, friend and person of integrity. He will be
missed by all who knew and loved him.
Judy Hoppe
Past President
Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya
Dear Fellow Rotarians,
My heartfelt condolences go to Kees’ wife, family and beloved ones.
I am grateful that I got to know Kees through Rotary. I appreciated his
integrity, friendship and dedication.
May his soul rest in peace.
Jorn Lillelund
My heartfelt condolences to his wife, family and loved
ones and all his friends in Rotary.
I have known Kees for nearly 20 years, we all have lost a true and
trusted friend, a good man with integrity, dedication and friendship.
Riposa In Pace
Max Rommel
Past President
Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya
Even I am in Germany at this moment, I would like to send
my deep solicitousness.
We lost a true friend.
Yours in Rotary
Dr. Albrecht Ebertzeder
Kees was introduced into the Rotary Club of Jomtien
Pattaya by Micheal Vogt on the 19th August 1994. A very conscientious
Rotarian who immediately involved himself and others in the operation of the
Interact Club of Banglamung School, Kees attended all the Interact Meetings
at the Thai Garden Resort every Sunday morning and would host the lunches
for the Interactors. Many children in the area benefited from his kindness
and devotion.
That was Kees down to earth no nonsense but generous to
all. He was best known in Rotary for his to promotion of Road Safety he was
the leader in setting up the Ge LaurentFoundation to help to provide
information on how to drive and ride safely
Also giving yearly motorcycle safety checks and providing
replacement parts like tires, brakes and chains.
He worked closely with the Pattaya Police Traffic
Department, providing computers and books to train school children to drive
correctly and insisted the police visited the schools to train and
demonstrate the safety rules. Kees made a register of Police visits. That
was Kees dedicated to everything he set out to achieve. How many lives were
saved by this act of caring, we will never know.
In July 1996 Kees was installed as President of the
Rotary Club Jomtien-Pattaya, He continued with his commitment to Rotary and
set an example to all the members by being the first to volunteer for any
new project. He was involved with the US Navy to provide a better life for
the unfortunate in Pattaya. He worked closely with the Eye Glass Project to
give Pattaya Children a new insight into education.
I could go on and on about Kees’ achievements. Sadly they
will all remain as memories I will not forget .
I will miss Kees not only as a True Rotarian but moreover
as a Great Friend.
Dennis Stark.
Past President
Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya
My heart felt condolences to his family.
Yours in Rotary
Richard Haughton
President Elect
Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya
My deep feelings of condolence goes to his beloved ones
and all his very good Friends in RCJP.
I apologize that I was not able to advise an appropriate
non toxic tumor therapy for him. I also want to state my admiration for the
warm friendship and real help Dennis gave him till the last minute.
May we hope he left this life with minimal of pain as
possible.
Yours in Rotary
Dr. William H van Ewijk, M.D.
Mrs Joan van Ewijk-Mondido
P.S. How can we ever understand death, if we don’t even understand life?
I have known Kees for more than 20 years and can with all
my heart say that he was a good man, a true and trusted friend in Rotary and
in the business and social circles. I am truly saddened by his passing.
My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
May he rest in peace.
Peter Malhotra
Past District Governor
District 3340 R.I.
May I borrow Peter’s words that want I feel for Kees.
May you rest in peace Kees.
Alvi Sinthuvanik
Past President
Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya
Martin has said what we all would like to say, just lack
the right words. I will miss him and I will miss his ‘NO’ when we were going
to “spend” Rotary money for something he wouldn’t agree with.
Helmut Buchberger
President
Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya
