Klaas E. ten Broeke

1930 - 2025

Klaas E. ten Broeke
August 28, 2025
Surrounded by his family and loved ones, Klaas E. ten Broeke of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully in his home on August 28, 2025. He was ninety-five years old.
Klaas was born in February of 1930. He was married to Tineke ten Broeke for 58 years, until she passed away in 2013. Before she died, Tineke said to Klaas: "if anything happens to me, go to Lya" their dear and longtime Dutch friend. Klaas was seldom lonely, and he and Lya had a wonderful relationship these last ten years. Until recently, he had been splitting his time between Vero Beach and Darien, Connecticut where he lived for 47 years.
Klaas and Tineke were both born in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia. Their fathers worked for the same company, a Dutch conglomerate processing rubber, sugar and tea. In fact, Klaas and Tineke attended the third grade together. Klaas moved back to The Netherlands as a young boy before the war started, and after the war, attended Delft University, and then became an Officer in the Dutch Army. Klaas and Tineke reconnected after his service, and the two immigrated to Montreal, Canada and married in 1955. They came to the United States in 1957, living in San Francisco, Denver, Palos Verdes Estates, California, and finally in Darien, Connecticut. Before Klaas retired, he was the President and CEO of American Pecco Corporation, an international heavy construction and high-rise crane company with offices in the United States, Canada and the Far East.
Klaas was a world class rower. At 6'7" and 240 lbs., he was one of the "engines" for the University of Delft's Varsity Eight crew team in The Netherlands. After that, Klaas was a member of the Dutch National Eight crew that won a bronze medal in the European Rowing Championships in 1952. Following his retirement in 1987, Klaas reignited his love of rowing with the Norwalk River Rowing Club in Connecticut. In his 60s, 70s and into his 80s, Klaas and his crewmates competed and won gold medals in many National and World Championship Masters Rowing competitions worldwide.
Klaas and Tineke, long-time members of the Tokeneke Club in Darien, were active on the tennis courts, and created many long-lasting friendships. Klaas brought his enthusiasm for windsurfing to many of their friends, leading flotillas of windsurfers out of the bay and to the nearby islands.
When Klaas was asked "to what do you attribute your longevity?", he responded, "being happy and optimistic, having stresses I can deal with, always looking forward to the future, and lastly, having a loving family." Klaas led a full life right to the end. He enjoyed riding his bike, sharing recipes with his family, cooking gourmet meals for his friends and loved ones, reading multiple books at once, following politics, driving throughout our beautiful country, watching the tennis matches at Sea Oaks, and staying connected with his children and grandchildren. The entire family is grateful to have been able to spend time with Klaas/Opa in his last weeks before he passed.
Klaas is survived by his two daughters, Trudie Larrabee (Ben) and Laura Rumbough (Doug); four grandchildren Peter Rumbough (Kate), Anna Rumbough, Teddy Larrabee, and Kate Larrabee; and a great-grandson Cooper.
A celebration of Klaas' life will be held at a future date.