He now lives and sings eternally with the angels, seeing our Lord Jesus in person! While we experience grief, we are also thankful for God’s mercy that Bert will not need to endure the last ravages of Parkinson’s. His strong and courageous 20-year struggle with that disease was fought in faith with little complaint, and we are comforted knowing that his battle has ended in victory and he may now experience eternal peace.
Bert was the strong silent type, but his kindness and his quick wit was a delight for everyone around him, to his last days. We will remember his mischievous twinkle and big grin.
Born in Bunschoten, the Netherlands in 1945, Bert has always loved working with his hands. In the Netherlands he studied tool and die making, and after emigrating at 19, he was a maker and fixer on the Dunnville family farm. In his spare time, he tinkered with motorbikes and cars, eventually working for many years as service manager at Foran’s Marine while renovating our homes and boats. And finally, at our own family business, it was precision service and repair for thousands of sewing machines.
Bert, christened Gijsbert Hopman, has many cousins in the Netherlands and in Canada. He is predeceased by his siblings Allison and Clarence (Anna). He is brother to Art (Cheryl) Hopman, Margaret (Taco) VanderVelde, Hetty (Karl) Veldkamp, and Wilma Hopman (Chris). Bert married Elsa (née Knegt) in 1974 and lived to enjoy 15 grandchildren. Our children Theo (Erica), Gus (Trish), Erika (Nick), and Tesha (Errol) have surrounded us with such love and care.
We thank all the doctors, specialists, and PSWs who have been part of our care team; staff at Guelph General Hospital, at St. Joseph’s Respite Program, and at the Transitional Care Unit at Highland Place; as well as the helpful hands at home in Riverside Residences. Thank you friends, family and church family at Guelph Emmanuel, for drawing close in love.
Visitation on Thursday, December 1 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at EMMANUEL CANADIAN REFORMED CHURCH, 8037 Highway 7, Guelph, where the Memorial Service will take place on Friday December 2 at 11:00 AM. Private family interment prior. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Anchor Association.
Please sign the Tribute Wall:
kitchingsteepeandludwig.com