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BORN
1928
DIED
2015
Heinrich Beernink Obituary
July 23, 1928 - December 13, 2015
Henry Beernink passed away in December after a long, full life. Born to physician parents, he and his identical twin Ferdinand grew up in the Netherlands. Their life abruptly changed as teenagers with wartime invasion during WWII. The twins were avid tennis players and rose to Dutch top-10 national rankings after the war. They attended medical school at the University of Leiden in Holland. They moved to the US in 1952, enlisted as Army medics, and were stationed in Germany during the Korean War. After returning to the US, they completed their residencies in OB/GYN, became Adjunct Professors of Medicine, and then practiced together in Berkeley and Pinole for over 40 years.Henry married Jo Ann Fearheiley in 1957 and they raised four children. Together they orchestrated the building of their lovely home in Berkeley, as well as a vacation home in Truckee. Henry pioneered the Lamaze method in Berkeley and successfully lobbied to get smoking banned from Alta Bates Hospital. He co-produced and acted in two childbirth movies and was a leader in infertility treatment. He never complained about the obstetrics night calls and brought upwards of 10,000 babies into the world! He was an avid member of the American Medical Tennis Association, Claremont Club, NN Club, Berkeley Tennis Club, and later the Claremont Country Club. Henry excelled in everything he set out to do, a devoted husband and father, fine physician and surgeon, and superior athlete in tennis, skiing, golf and sailing. He also loved animals, music, gardening, and the genius of Dr. Seuss.
Henry is survived by his wife Jo Ann and their 4 children, Ernest, Amy, Peter, and Bruce, and 5 grandchildren. The twins passed away 40 days apart at age 87. Our families are hosting a joint celebration of life for Henry and Ferd at the Lafayette Vets Memorial Center, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, Sun., Mar. 6, from 3-6 p.m. To ensure adequate space, RSVP is requested by Feb. 26 to Amy at: [email protected].
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Heinrich Beernink
4 Entries
Helen Wheeler
October 17, 2017
Thinking of you. I sent your video to Melva. She has never seen it! You are missed.
March 18, 2016
Dr. H. delivered my first daughter in 1968. Dr. F. delivered my second daughter in 1970. They were exceptional doctors, well respected and very progressive in their treatment of patients. I used Lamaze for both deliveries and was grateful for their expertise. I had the privilege of working vacation relief in both the Berkeley and San Pablo offices when my daughters were young. I loved working for them. I love the instructional video Dr. H. made for the Berkeley Police Department. https://archive.org/details/sudden_birth
They were quite a pair!
Suzanne Franco
February 23, 2016
Drs. Heinrich and Ferdinand Beernink were wonderful doctors who delivered all six of our children in Berkeley between 1969 and 1980. We are grateful for them and send our condolences to the Beernink family.
Suzanne and Ross Franco
DW
February 18, 2016
My sincerest condolences to the family. May you find much comfort in God's word during this difficult time (Hosea 13:14)
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