Obituary
Our beloved father and Opa, Pieter, passed away in the early morning of November 20, 2019 in Edmonton at the age of 91. He was born in Waarde and was raised on the family farm close to the North Sea in southern Holland. He lived through World War II in occupied Holland and moved to Amsterdam in 1951 to pursue his academic studies in chemistry and physics at the Free University. While he was a student, one of his part-time jobs was as a tour guide on one of Amsterdam’s famous canal boats. During this time he met his future wife, Netty, and they married in 1956 and were together until Netty’s passing in 2010. In the late 1950’s Pieter served two six month rotations on the Willem Barrentsz whaling ship in the Antartic, then he and Netty emigrated to Edmonton, Canada in 1959 with their first son Eric. The birth of 2 more sons, Randy and Rob, completed the family unit. Pieter pursued his academic and working career in medical research as a chemical lab technician at the University of Alberta followed by tenures at Raylo Chemicals, Bio-Med and the Alberta Research Council. He loved his work and retired in 1990.
Pieter was a kind and gentle soul who touched the lives of many people. He had a warm sense of humour, keen intellect and a passion for knowledge and learning. He was strong in his Christian faith and served the church in various ways, including as a church elder. He was an avid reader and an amazing story teller. His love of classical music, especially the organ music of Bach, motivated Pieter to teach himself how to play the organ. True to his Dutch roots, Pieter was an avid cyclist, clocking endless miles with family and friends in and around the city, the mountains and the west coast. Pieter’s life in and of itself was as courageous as it was steeped in duty, tradition and commitment to his family, his faith and his community.
Pieter was predeceased by his wife, Netty, in 2010. He leaves behind 3 sons; Eric (Xiaofen), Randy (Michelle) and Robert (Wendy) and 3 grandchildren; Amanda, Ryan and Robyn, whom he very much loved and in whose lives he was actively involved. He was also predeceased by three brothers and two sisters and is survived by two sisters, Koos in Holland and Leny in Ontario, as well as numerous family and friends.
We love you Dad/Opa. You will always be in our hearts.
A Memorial service for Pieter will be held at First Christian Reform Church 10956 – 96 Street on Tuesday, December 3 at 1:00pm. Reception to follow in the church reception area. Reverend: Brian Dunn
Memorial Donations may be made in Pieter’s name to Autism Edmonton or World Vision Canada.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Pieter Wolfert 2019..
Foster & Mc Garvey funeral homes
Death notice for the town of: Edmonton, Province: Alberta