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 members from both sides of the ocean! So we should to thankful for Maynard's generous gifts in this respect. Gradually our communication about genealogy became more personal and he after a few years he was a real digital pen-friend. We spoke about many personal things and I loved his friendly, open, optimistic and very smart personality. For an example, he was reading the grand History of Philosophy by Will Durant and this led to many interesting observations and discussions! Despite his health difficulties of the last years he remarkably well kept up his good spirits and continued to keep in contact. I will miss him dearly.

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 celebrate Maynard today.

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.