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Dr. Peter Strykers

1927 - 2016

Dr.  Peter Strykers obituary, 1927-2016, Kensington, CA

BORN

1927

DIED

2016

Peter Strykers Obituary

Dr. Peter H. Strykers

April 9, 1927-February 18, 2016

Resident of Kensington

Peter was a physician, musician, author, and sailor. Among his accomplishments, he was instrumental in the founding of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra. An adventurist at heart, he trekked the Himalayas, and rafted in Africa, New Guinea, and South America. He single-handedly sailed from Berkeley to Hawaii. He wrote about this journey in his book The Floating Harpsichord. Throughout his travels, he continuously expanded his medical and spiritual horizons.

Peter will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, who instilled the love of music and sense of adventure. He took his family on many exciting excursions in the Sierra Nevada, Mexico, Europe, and throughout the United States.

Peter was born in Maastricht, The Netherlands. At a young age he developed a love for music. Following the Nazi Occupation of The Netherlands, Peter went on to study medicine at Leiden University. In 1957, he and his wife Gondica immigrated to the United States.

Through his medical practice in El Cerrito, he served the community for over 50 years and developed many friendships and strong ties within the community.

Peter is survived by his loving wife, Gondica of 59 years, sons Peter (Fiona), and Vincent (Linda), and daughters Julia Philbert (Tom) and Estelle, grandchildren Lucas Philbert (Blaire), Alyssa, Shelbie, Vincent, Mariah, Sara Santiago, Peter, Gondica, and great grandson Derek T. Philbert. Predeceased by Derek R. Philbert.

Friends and family are invited to attend Peter's service at St. Jerome Church, 308 Carmel Avenue in El Cerrito on Thursday, February 25 at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra or the American Cancer Society.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Feb. 20 to Feb. 24, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Peter Strykers

Not sure what to say?





Roseanne Smith

January 30, 2024

Dr. Strykers was my family doctor for 40 years. He took such good care of me, my husband and my daughter that I will forever be grateful. We had seen him for so long that we had grown old together and he felt like family. It was a sad day when he told me that his wife had told him that it was time to retire. He told me that he hadn't been thinking about retiring but took his wife's advice and retired two weeks later. I was always impressed that he was so knowledgeable that it didn't matter what book I had brought along he was always able to engage in an interesting conversation about it. When he told me that he was sailing singlehanded to Hawaii I asked him how his wife felt about it. He hesitated and squirmed a bit and then replied "She doesn't like it." I have to admit that I was also relieved when he made it back safely. I fondly remember our conversations whether it be about the burrowing owls in Berkeley, mountain climbing in the Himalayas, vacationing in Carmel or visiting his family in the Netherlands. He had a zest for life that was admirable and lived his life to the fullest. I wish his family well as I know he is greatly missed.

Gail Weir Smith

October 23, 2023

A wonderful doctor! He was our family physician for years?

David Thomas

February 14, 2022

Once more the time comes round and a reminder beeps into my mailbox. It always bring thoughts of much laughter and memories of a man with an enormous zest for living and making the most of his time here. RIP Peter....such fun we had.

David Thomas

February 14, 2019

I often remember Peter and Gondica's generosity and wonderful hospitality. Our shared interest in music and many other things were a great joy to me. Thank you Peter you were to me a friend and an inspiration.

Gerard Willems

February 22, 2017

I am so sad to hear about the passing of Peter Strykers ( originally from Maastricht) I so enjoyed my time in SF when I stayed with Loretta Goldberg in 2001. I loved his energy and optimism.
I am coming to SF for a few days on 3 and 4 March and was so looking forward to reconnect. I live now in Sydney Australia and am originally from Brabant Tilburg. Miss his laughter and personality , larger than life. RIP
Warmest condolences to his wife.
Gerard Willems

Marc Dronkers

April 29, 2016

I'm rereading "The Floating Harpsichord" which Peter wrote while sailing to Hawaii solo. A remarkable story of handling a large sailboat singlehanded and all the work involved in planning and following through with such a trip. It is a treat reading the book with older eyes. Peter was 20 years older than me and always a source of inspiration.
Marc Dronkers

Lia Engelkes

April 27, 2016

april 27 2016


I just wrote a message and I forgot to add our e- mailadress.
I hope so, that a familymember wants to contact us by e-mail, because I like to contact Gondica. I cannot reach her by e-mail or by telephone !!


[email protected]

[email protected]

Thank you so much

Lia Engelkes

Lia Engelkes

April 27, 2016

april 27 2016.

I forgot the date above my message.
See above.

Lia Engelkes

Lia Engelkes

April 27, 2016

Dear family,

From the depht of our hearts we want to condole you with the death of Peter Strykers.
We met him and Gondica in 2012.
Our son and his family lives in Berkeley.
We met Peter and Gondica in a small restaurant in the neighbourhood of their house. On a special way !!They invited us in their home.
And there I saw all the music instruments !! And Peter played them and we spoke with big passion about music !!
Back in Holland we kept in touch.
Sept/oct. 2014 we visited our son again and Peter and Gondica too.
In those days our second grandson was born there , with a handicap" : sydrome of Hirschsprung, very grave !!!
Peter was such a good help in these weeks .
Again back in Holland we kept in touch.
End of 2015, begin 2016 Peter wrote he was ill. We wrote back , and so a few times. Then a few months our life was filled.
After that, begin of april I send an e-mail, no answer, again and again, e-mails and phonecalls. They came back, never answers.
We were so worried. At once, I thougt on his website and there I saw that Peter was passed away. I had such a fright and we were full of sadness. Peter and Gondica are so friendly, warm, hospitable, They give so much trust.
We like to contact Gondica, I wonder if she lives still in their house in Kensington, because telephonecalls are not taken.
Please if a familymember reads this send us an e-mail. We shall be so gratefull.
Thank you very much.
Share the sadness with each other, keep each other in strenght touch and hold your memories in your hearts. Nobody can take them. They stay always with you.

With very warm regards
Lia and |Jan Engelkes in the Netherlands,
Hoogkarspel.

McCray Family

April 11, 2016

What wonderful neighbors Dr. Peter and Gondica were to my grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. McCray. Such a caring family. Thank you for your kindness and all the talks/stories we had in the driveway as you finished your walk.

Raychelle Lee
Mrs. Dorothy McCray
Kenisingon CA

April 11, 2016

I met Peter and Gondica when they first came to this country. We were close friends for many years, and only because I left Berkeley for Southern California did we see much less of each other.
But we talked and visited in both Berkeley and Beverly Hill and finally in Carmel.
Peter was a handsome, creative, sensitive and good man.
I remember having an early with their daughter, Julia, when she was three or four years old. I picked her up at that wonderful house on the hill on Sunday morning and we both drove off to Mass.
I stayed many nights with the Strykers--perhaps due to an extra glass of wine?
Peter and I shared bachelor-hood for a few weeks when Gondica was visiting her family in the Netherlands. The household was equipped with a fancy washer/dryer. I volunteered to do a wash. Peter never let me forget that all his underwear came out pink.
Peter and Gondica visited me and my friend, Lane Craig, two or three times in Carmel, where I still live.
I have wonderful memories of Peter and what disturbs me is that I had not made contact with him for too many years.
I would like to know of Gondica. If a family member happens to read this I hope they will contact me.
My phone number: (831)625-9094
My email address: [email protected]
My name is Tom Parks

David Thomas

March 7, 2016

I had the privilege of being the recipient of Peter and Gondica's generous hospitality whenever I came to sing for Philharmonia Baroque. I always immensely enjoyed my stay and found Peter a wonderful host and friend. Over the intervening years we have kept in touch but to my shame I failed to make the journey from London to San Fransisco to renew the relationship and once more enjoy his wonderful, interesting, intelligent but above all fun personality. I shall miss him and send my sincerest condolences to dear Gondica.

PAMELA DRAKE

February 25, 2016

I have so many fond memories of Peter and his family!
When we moved here in 1973 with our young daughter, the Strykers welcomed us immediately and we spent years at their house for dinners and swimming as the families were growing.

Estelle babysat for us when she was only 7 ~ we often found her asleep when we returned ~ but Gondica was always on call,
and Peter nearby.

Although Peter was not our family physician, he came to our house with his black leather medicine bag several times when one of my daughters had a minor incident.

Bob and Peter spent hours smoking their pipes, drinking wine, listening to classical music and had long debates about whether or not the first violinist was sitting too far to the right... Who could know that!?

We went on his boat to the Sacramento River with my Chilean friend and the tide went out. The boat leaned to the side, we all fell down and spent the night until the tide came back in.

Peter was an extraordinary Renaissance man of many talents and will be deeply missed.

Our condolences to his wonderful family,

Pamela, Kimberly and Kirsten Drake

February 24, 2016

So many memories!

Peter was not our family physician but our
neighbor and dearest friend. Twice he came to our house with his leather doctor bag when my baby girls had accidents.

My memory is 2 decades of going to the Strykers several times a week for a swim and dinner with my daughters. Estelle baby-sat when she was only about 7 (?) but it was ok because Gondica was on call.

The Strykers love families and children and always made us welcome!

I remember my husband, Bob, and Peter, smoking pipes and listening to music for hours and discussing whether or not the violinist was sitting too far to the right. Who could know that?!

We went on his boat on the Sacramento River with my Chilean friend, Vicho, Bob and my daughter Kimberly. There was suddenly a low tide and loud bump. We were marooned overnight until we were able to sail out the next day.

They appreciated and bought my folk art from Mexico and Peru, which is still in their house.

Peter will be missed! He has a loving and accomplished family which he nurtured and supported.

My sincere condolences to his family!

Fondly,

Pamela, Kimberly and Kirsten Drake

Stewart Katsura

February 24, 2016

Going to High School with his sons made that time a much richer experience. Later in college, I felt I was on my deathbed and saw Dr. Strykers. More than the medication he prescribed or the labs he ordered, it was his assurance that I would be okay that made me get better. Thank you so much Doctor Strykers. Take care Peter, Vince and family. See you at the service. Love and condolence from the Katsura family.

June 1 1906

Laszlo Somogyi

February 23, 2016

June 1 2006

Laszlo Somogyi

February 23, 2016

Janine Johnson

February 23, 2016

I think the memories that make me smile the most, are the ones where Peter is at the piano playing Mozart, only playing certain passages upside-down, quite convincingly, and his own Beethoven style Bagatelle. He was such a fine musician, with that impish twinkle. I also loved "The Floating Harpsichord", which I read years ago and plan to read again. There was humor in Peter, as well as great depth.

Mark Wijsen

February 22, 2016

Dr Strykers was a part of saving my life from a traumatic event. I remember him fondly as my doctor neighbor and friends dad. Your family was always welcoming and kind. As neighbors and Dutch compatriots you are in our thoughts. Your husband, dad and grandad was a good man, condolences

Peter speaks in my party 2011

Laszlo Somogyi

February 22, 2016

Maria Caswell

February 22, 2016

Seeing Peter and Gondica in the front row at Philharmonia concerts always made it more fun to play. I am so appreciative of Peter's enthusiastic support all these years. He will be missed,

February 21, 2016

Peter and Gondica Strykers have been the most wonderful connection between The Netherlands and the Bay Area, in terms of their support and enthusiasm for early music; specifically in terms of being true friends of Philharmonia Baroque. His presence in the front row of our Berkeley concerts was a given, with GOndica by his side. He will be deeply missed. Condolences to the entire Strykers Family and friends.

David Daniel Bowes, violist PBO

February 20, 2016

Julia,
What a wonderful life he had. So many memories live on through his wonderful family. Coincidentally, I too have relatives from the same city in Holland.
We are sorry we will not be able to attend the memorial service for him, as we have another we have already committed to.
Our love to all.
Debbie Klein

February 20, 2016

A generous, talented, exciting, celebrator of life has left us with many fond memories. We will miss him, but surely not as must his beloved Gondica and family to whom we send our deepest
condolences. With much love, Ann and Charles Sanchez

Kathy Burt

February 20, 2016

To the whole Strykers family and especially Gondika -- my sincerest condolences on your loss. I will always have such fond memories of my conversations with Peter and the awesome tour of harpsichords and art at your home.

God bless you and comfort your hearts at this time.

Kathy (and Chuck) Burt

marc dronkers

February 20, 2016

Author, physician,world class sailor,adventurer. Truly a gifted man.
I knew Peter and Gondica since the 50's and watched their children grow up to be remarkable members of their communities.
Peter's zest for life led him to discover many of the ways of the world and he transmitted his thoughts to others with grace and clarity. My thoughts go out to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and to Gondica,his wife.

Yamilka Hayes

February 20, 2016

Receive our love and condolences for the loss of your beloved father dear Julia, Estelle and the entire Stryker family. What a full, wondrous life Peter lived, and how wonderful it must have been to grow up under his watch. May God cover all of you with his peace, light and comfort during this difficult time.

February 20, 2016

Dr Strykers and Mrs Strykers were like 2nd parents to me during my years when I would babysit for Julie,Peter.Vincent and Estelle

I loved going to their home to swim and just visit or walk Coco or Feed Twinkle :)

I remember Dr Stryker's BEAUTIFUL Jaguar when he would zip me home around the corner to my house late at night when they returned home from being out ,it was so much fun ,and I remember when he would arrive home from work Mrs Stryker's would fix him Vichyssoise soup and he would ask me and teach ,me how to make him scotch and water:)

I spent quite a few over nights at their home when they were out past midnight at the Ross's home
I have many memories of the Strykers Kindness to me during those years

Dr Strykers will be missed my love to the whole Family but especially Mrs Strykers

Rita Warren
xoxoxox

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Memorial Events
for Peter Strykers

Feb

25

Service

11:00 a.m.

St. Jerome Church

308 Carmel Avenue, El Cerrito, CA

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