DIRK PIETER VAN DE MERWE
Rotterdam - The Netherlands Burlington - Canada
11 March 1932 15 May 2021
Burlington, Ontario, Canada – Dirk (Dick) Pieter van de Merwe, 89, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2021.
Dick was born on March 11, 1932 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, the son of Arie and Wilhemina van de Merwe. He started his career immediately after completing his education, by boarding a ship to the Far East at the young age of 19. While abroad, his mother passed away unexpectedly, and he was unable to be by her side. This event made an indelible impact on him and explains his fierce devotion to his family.
While working in Singapore, he met the love of his life, Pauline. They moved to The Netherlands and were married in Rotterdam on August 8th, 1957 and enjoyed nearly 63 years as husband and wife. Their life together started in a small house in Geldrop, The Netherlands at the Eeuwselstraat. Dick served as an officer for 2 years in the Royal Dutch Airforce where his love for aviation was ignited and continued throughout his life.
When he completed his military service, he began his 20-year career with Philips Electronics. In 1966, he and Pauline boarded a ship with their growing family of 4 young daughters (aged 8 months, 2, 6 and 8) and crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Mexico City. There, he oversaw sales and marketing for Mexico and kindled a lifelong passion for travel and exposing his children to different cultures. Trips all over Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean with the entire family were a priority for him. These trips even exposed him to danger at times such as the time he rode a horse at a remote Mexican hacienda, that was described as very gentle but proceeded to bolt off into the sunset, forcing him to jump to safety onto an overhanging branch…all because he wanted to join his kids on the ride.
Four years later his job moved him again, to Toronto, Canada. During their time in Don Mills, Ontario their son was born. Despite the growing family, no trip was ever taken without the entire troop, including the family dog, Lassie. Travel to the Calgary Stampede, Prince Edward Island and Manitoba were never too much or too far. He felt it was his job to introduce the family to everything a country they were living in had to offer. Dick had a very hectic work schedule including many trips back and forth to the head office of Philips in Eindhoven, but he always made time for family vacations and one-on-one time with the kids when he was home. He insisted on game nights, playing Santa Claus during Christmas, and introducing his kids to a myriad of activities like skiing, tennis, organ lessons and horseback riding. Over the next decade his growing career with Philips took the family back to The Netherlands, and finally to Fort Wayne, Indiana where he headed the newly acquired Magnavox operations. This move would be his last with the company and in 1978, he started a new career with Elsevier Publishing and moved the family back to The Netherlands.
The job with Elsevier took the family to Washington, DC. This would be his last stop before returning to Canada. In 1984, Dick and Pauline moved to their beloved home in Richmond Hill and they were finally back in the country he considered his “second” home. The intent was for Dick to retire but he was asked by The Hagemeyer Company to become their CEO in Canada. His retirement put on hold, even after his assignment with the trading company ended, he continued to work as a consultant and was still very active in the business world for many years. His last years included an annual trip to Made, Holland to visit his younger brother Rob, family friends and to enjoy the Dutch countryside. Dick also enjoyed planning cruises for Pauline, all over the world, taking trips to visit the kids and grandkids, and just spending time together as a couple.
He had a brilliant mind and had a great appetite for learning. He was also a meticulous planner, unequaled speaker and storyteller. Above all else, Dick was a devoted father and husband with an unequivocal and undying love for his wife Pauline.
It is with a very heavy, tear-stained heart that we say goodbye to our mother’s husband, our father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather and everything that he meant to each of us. While his vessel may be gone, his stories, accomplishments, and love of family will continue to live on in each of us.
Dick is predeceased by his parents, Arie and Wilhelmina van de Merwe, and brother Jaap van de Merwe. He is survived by his loving wife Pauline Parlant van de Merwe of Burlington, Canada. Daughters Monique van de Merwe (Bob) of Caledon Ontario, Jeannette Tiffany (Cam) of Denver Colorado, Jackie Shaver (Tom) of Leawood, KS; Nicole Georgas (George) of Oakville, Ontario and son Mike van de Merwe (Shanon) of Seattle, Washington; his 12 grandchildren Jeanine Laver (Glen Cockburn), Georgia Carter (Andrew Ferguson) and Gaelen Carter, Jacqueline Cameron (Austin) and Yvette Tiffany; Charlie, Jonah and Pauline Shaver; Austin and Lukas Georgas; Derek and Dylan van de Merwe and great grandchild Emmett Cockburn. He is also survived by his brother Robert van de Merwe (Wilma) of Made, The Netherlands.
As per Dicks’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a small family memorial service will be held. A celebration of Life will be held at a later date to be announced.
Contact Address: 20504 Heart Lake Road
Caledon, ON L7K 2A2
Canada