Search by Name

Search by Name

Pieter Hoekstra Obituary

BURLINGTON - Mr. Pieter E. Hoekstra, 89, of 425 Neese Drive, died Monday, March 19, 2012 at the Homeplace of Burlington.
He was born in Caracas, Venezuela, the second child of J. A. Hoekstra and Jacoba Fockens. He grew up in Venezuela, Switzerland, Indonesia, and the Netherlands. During World War II he served in the Dutch resistance and helped to guide downed Allied airmen back through German-occupied territory. After the war he immigrated to the United States. He went to school at Iowa State University and North Carolina State University, graduating with BS and MS degrees in Forestry. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity at N. C. State University. He later followed a 30-year career as a civil servant in the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. That career was guided by his lifelong intellectual curiosity, taking him through positions working in basic research, national, state and local, urban, and international forestry. He also worked with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and well as the United States Agency for International Development, living in Peru, Italy, and Viet Nam, and traveling to forestry projects around the world. Pieter was a member of the Rosicrucian Order for 60 years.
While studying in Raleigh he met and later married Mary Lloyd Hoekstra. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather for 60 years. In addition to his wife of the home, survivors include three sons, Robert M. Hoekstra of Richmond, VA, John W. Hansel of Burlington, NC and Robert Huber of Bangkok, Thailand; one sister, Elisabeth Morse of Southern Pines, NC; three granddaughters, Michelle D. Hoekstra of Atlanta, GA, Elsa R. Hoekstra of Richmond, VA, and Mary H. Hansel of Los Angeles, CA; and one grandson, John W. Hansel of Los Angeles, CA.
A memorial service will be conducted at the Rich & Thompson Chapel in Burlington, NC on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. by Rev. Ben Bishop with the family receiving friends from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service.
Condolences may be offered at richandthonmpson.com


Published by TheTimesNews.com from Mar. 22 to Mar. 23, 2012.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Pieter Hoekstra

Not sure what to say?





1 Entry

Pieter was a very nice man and will be remembered fondly. My thoughts go out to Mary and John and the rest of the family. Be well.

Chris Dubs

March 23, 2012

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 results

Make a Donation
in Pieter Hoekstra's name

Memorial Events
for Pieter Hoekstra

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support Pieter's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Pieter Hoekstra's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more