Tabe de Vries

1928 - 2023

de Vries, Tabe

January 23, 1928 - April 12, 2023

Celebrating a life well-lived, the family of Tabe de Vries regrets announcing his passing on April 12 at the age of 95.

Tabe was born the first of 3 siblings, to Petrus de Vries and Tjitske de Haan in Ijmuiden, The Netherlands.

His father was a fish auctioneer and his mother, a homemaker. As a teen, he was in the Dutch Underground during the German occupation in WWII, saving over 100 allied pilots who had been shot down over his town. His father, unbeknownst to him until after the war, was also in the Underground, and died during this time. He, as the eldest, assumed responsibility for the family. Eventually, they were forced to flee north to Leeuwarden, where they lived near his mother's brothers.

After the war, he obtained a degree in electrical engineering, all the time working to support his family. In the early 1950's, he obtained 2 patents –an automated machine to remove "Beschuit" (Dutch Rusk) from the baking pans and a spiral feeder machine. In 1953, Tabe married Gerda Bakker. They had 2 children (Yantiny and Petrus). In 1958, Tabe and his family, along with his mother, 2 brothers and their children, emigrated to the USA, settling in Denver, Colorado.

Tabe eventually developed his own successful electric motor rewinding business. They added 2 girls to their family (Karin and Christy). He was active in the Seventh Day Adventist Church and the youth Pathfinder's group. Tijtske and her 3 sons and their families remained closely knit, living within walking distance of each other.

In 1968, the family moved to Florida where Tabe enjoyed an engineering career at Cape Canaveral (Pan-American Aerospace) where he was on loan to the US Airforce for their secret launches. There, he met and worked with Wehner van Braun (NASA). In 1969, Tabe participated in the Apollo 11 launch to the moon and man's subsequent landing on the moon for the first time.

In 1973, Tabe left the Cape for new challenges in Saudi Arabia during the early stages of Saudi's development. Among other projects, working for Parson's International of Pasadena California, he became the Project Manager for the development and construction of Jeddah International Airport.

Tabe and Bonnie met in the fall of 1979 in South Pasadena while Tabe was in Parson's home office and Bonnie was pursuing postgraduate medical studies at the University of Southern California. In the fall of 1980, Tabe returned to Saudi Arabia to head a joint research project between Parson's International and the Saudi government - a photovoltaic array converting energy from the sun directly into electricity to power a small village.

Tabe and Bonnie were married in June of 1982 in Santa Anna, California. They moved to Reno, NV, where Tabe retired from engineering, allowing Bonnie to pursue her career goals. He eventually took over the business aspect of Bonnie's medical practice. In 1985, they relocated to Medford, Oregon, where they lived for 20 years. Their daughter Nellie was born in 1986. They subsequently relocated for Bonnie's work, to Wichita, Kansas and then finally to Omaha, Nebraska where they have resided since 2010.

Tabe was an avid soccer fan and enjoyed his happy place – the kitchen nook with the TV in front of him, fireplace behind and a round window view of nature on the side. He had a full and successful life, overcoming many hardships initially to become such an incredible person. No matter the problem, he calmly accepted the outcome and kept moving forward, never dwelling on what might have been, but rather concentrating on what the future might bring. He had an inquisitive mind and from the beginning of his education, he endeavored to understand the basic principles behind scientific facts, which allowed him to take an analytical approach to issues and develop solutions that evaded others. In short, he was an accomplished engineer, a personable, kind and generous individual, a loving husband and father and a good friend to the many who were privileged to have known him.

Possessing a strong Christian faith, he practiced those values daily. Although, he had an extensive scientific background, he unquestionably believed in God's creation of the universe and what that meant for him personally. He was at peace with the world and himself.

Tabe was preceded in death by his parents; his 2 younger brothers, Herman and Petrus; one sister-in-law, Catharina (Petrus); and his first wife, Gerda. He is survived by one sister-in-law, Cornelia (Herman) de Vries of Atlanta, GA.; his wife Bonnie (Lees) of almost 41 years and their daughter Nellie (Alan) Costic of Portland, OR; his children: Tina (Rolland) Ruff of Grand Junction, CO; Peter (Lori) de Vries of Kailua Kona, HI; Karin (Ken) Lebo of Farmersville, OH; Christy (Chris) Hinckley of Leigh Acres, FL; as well as grandsons, Luke (Sabrina) Lebo and Adam (Megan) Lebo; and many nephews and nieces and their children.

The family wishes to thank the Nebraska Medicine medical professionals who cared for him over the years, and at the end, the staff of Hospice of the Midwest and Kellah Home Care. Special thanks to Marisol Angel (Tabe's "angel" indeed for many years) and to more recent "angel" Heidi Vossah.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE: Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Reichmuth Funeral Home (21901 W. Maple Road, Elkhorn, NE): Visitation, 10am, with 11am Service followed by luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials, if desired, may be given to the charity of your choice.

REICHMUTH FUNERAL HOME

21901 West Maple | (402) 289-2222

www.reichmuthfuneralhomes.com