Rob Bouwman

We are shocked and deeply moved by the sudden passing of one of our dearest colleagues, our most dependable janitor Rob Bouwman.

Rob was born in Noordwijk on August 9, 1957. He had only just completed 25 years of service at our school and during the Christmas lunch he had been widely lauded for his efforts during this time. Totally unexpected, he died while going about his work on Monday, January 14, 2013. Just as he did on other days, he was the first to arrive at school at a quarter to seven that morning. As always, he did his rounds to switch off the various alarm systems. Shortly after, he became unwell and around seven o’clock he was found by colleagues. The emergency services called to the spot did everything they could to save his life, but reanimation proved unsuccessful.

We feel dazed and dumbfounded from losing him. Our thoughts are with his family and with the nephews and nieces of which he was so proud. Our much-beloved grouch and grumbler is no longer. The Rijnlands Lyceum has lost more than just a colleague. The auditorium of the Rhijnhof crematory was filled to capacity on January 21 with family, friends and colleagues wanting to pay their last respects to Rob.

The Oegstgeester Courant afterwards published a fine eulogy which you can find through this link.