Maynard Blair Van Roekel

Long ago Maynard helped me by sharing his genealogical data of the van Roekel family members in the USA. He even gave me a copy of the Family Tree Maker program to manage this vast amount of data. By this generous gift I was able to extend the family genealogy with American members that almost outnumber the Dutch ones. Until this day this genealogy is consulted by many people of both countries It helped lots of American to trace back their roots in Holland and led to many visits to family...

What I always appreciated about Maynard is how interested he was in his hobbies...trains, genealogy, etc. and how active he was in pursuing new data and sharing it with others. His genealogy work was a major influence on me and one of my hobbies now. I have a favorite memory of him taking me around small hamlets, farms, and cemeteries in Iowa related to our Breuklander roots, and then taking me to get Dutch letters at the bakery in Pella. Hugs to Karen, Kathy, Kirk, and their families as they...

Maynard was a kind man who was devoted to his family and vice versa. I was fortunate to see him a few times and always enjoyed his company. How wonderful to read his obituary and see all the things he did in his life, several things I didn't know. I know Maynard will be sorely missed by his family members. We are thinking of you all, with our sympathy and kindest regards, Gwen van Roekel en Erik Van Tertholen, The Netherlands.