Han Adrianus Van Spyk

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Han Adrianus Van Spyk passed away on September 1, 2011 at his home in San Rafael, California, surrounded by his family. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer June 2010, but during the whole treatment phase with accompanying pain, Han's courage never faltered and hope sprung eternal. We rejoice that he is now with his Lord God and amongst so many loved ones who preceded him. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, daughters Victoria and Suzanne, son John, son-in-laws Scott and Robert, grandchildren Christian and Adrianna, siblings Hanny, Dick, Robert, Emmy and Margareth, and many nieces and nephews. Services to be held at St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, 10 Bayview Drive, San Rafael, CA 94901, Saturday, October 22nd, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. with ashes to return to his home and wife.

"ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.” That is what Han believed about life. He was a creative man, a perpetual problem solver, and a systems-thinker who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting him. Han thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. He possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile, agile mind and a highly developed sense of humor. Han was a person who believed that he could achieve whatever he set out to do.

His parents were Adri and Janna Van Spijk. Han was raised with his twin sister, Hanny, in Utrecht, The Netherlands. He showed his ingenuity even as a child. When he was confronted with a problem, Han could develop an imaginative solution, and he derived satisfaction from knowing he had that ability.

This same talent for finding solutions and assuming the role of "big brother" had a positive bearing on Han's family relationships. Han was raised with five siblings. He had a twin sister, Hanny and two younger brothers, Dick and Robert and two younger sisters, Emma and Margareth. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Han was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

As a young boy, Han could be found building and inventing new and different things out of the rubble caused by the war. He was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. Han played soccer, did gymnastics, and participated in the Boy Scouts. In his spare time he liked to tinker with radios and read comic books such as "The Adventures of Tin Tin".

Endowed with an appetite for knowing how his world worked, Han enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. Han was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. In his capacity of class president, he enjoyed the social aspects of organizing field trips to companies and businesses in other countries. He graduated from The School of Engineering in the Netherlands in 1955.

Because he was a quick thinker and adept at picking up on new things, Han performed well in college. He was always on a quest for knowledge and he relished the experience. Theories intrigued him, and he was good at solving complex problems. He always wanted to understand rather than judge. In addition to a degree in Engineering, he completed graduate school, earning his Masters in Business at UCLA and advanced management at Claremont College.

Han met his future wife in London, Canada when he was a patient in Victoria Hospital and Elizabeth (Betty), a first year nursing student, had the great fortune to have this Dutchman as her first patient. Love blossomed later that year, surrounded by nursing buddies and later their husbands: Newtie and Ross, Irene and Roger, Diane and Ron, Jeanne and Ross, Kathy and Jim, Fran and Daryl.

On June 27, 1964, Han married Elizabeth Borland at her home church in Ontario with witnesses being long-time friends, Ada and Teun t'Mannetje, and celebrating with Elizabeth's (Betty's) family. On July 25, 1964 Han and Elizabeth exchanged wedding vows at St. Mattheus Church of Utrecht, The Netherlands. The parade of horse-drawn carriages was an amazing experience as Han's family and friends celebrated this union. Han was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Han was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. Han was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to his spouse’s needs. He was a vibrant personality and he enjoyed verbally sparring with Elizabeth who insisted on a 50:50 relationship. He was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Elizabeth's.

Han was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around him. Always interested in his friends’ activities and interests, Han was uncritical of his acquaintances. He was sought after by people who recognized that he was generous with his time and energy, and these same friends found Han to be very stimulating company. Han's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around him. While growing up, some of his closest school friends were Derk, Ferry, Sam, Rens, Rudy, Gerard, and Bert. In college, he cultivated friendships with his fellow engineers Fred, Jerry, Ernie, Guus, Rob and Nol. Moving to Pasadena, he became firm and true friends with Roberta and Ron, Nate and Varnell, Sue and Bob, Barb and Mike, Bonnie and Don. In Danville, the Small Group of Community Presbyterian Church were very close to Han: Mary and Bob, Rose, Cathy and Kurt, Sharon and Colin, Jack and Shawn, Roger and Katy. On to Mukilteo, WA where many church friends and neighbors encircled Han, including Judy and Jim, Heidi and Elie, Vern and Jane, Al and Ann, Keith and Mary, George and Sharon, Sue and Dennis, and ever so many more.

Han's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced his relationship with his children. He would create original, clever and fun games for his kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. Han was blessed with three children: two daughters, Victoria and Suzanne, and a son, John and two loving grandchildren, Christian and Adrianna. Someone who was quick to laugh, Han found it easy to spend lots of time with his children, but he was never overbearing or guilty of pushing himself on them.

As a born inventor, Han was definitely in his element in his work place. He could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Han was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. He could assess all of the options before him and, using his analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. His personal initiative inspired those around him. Han was always good at getting a project started and then, at the appropriate time, handing it on to a colleague. He was employed for 31 years by Bank of America. Han always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done and in the words of a colleague: "We worked on numerous projects with people who became life-long friends. Han was always in a good mood and knew how to turn dull work into an exciting adventure and a routine business trip into a highly successful contracting process for the Bank".

Han's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for him. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since Han was always searching for new and unusual activities, he developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things he became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew him, but most friends and family understood that Han simply couldn't be limited to just a few activities or ideas. His favorite pursuits were sailing, ballroom dancing, the symphony and the theater.

Han's calm demeanor and eternally positive outlook served him well in sports. In high school, Han played soccer. Recreational sports included running marathons and bowling. Han was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were soccer, basketball, and volleyball. He coached his two daughters in soccer and cheered at his son's high school basketball games.

Han's talents were well suited for being actively involved in professional and community organizations, something he did throughout his life. He enjoyed being involved and was willing to jump in and help out in most any situation. Han could bring a breath of fresh air to any organization, simply by introducing his novel ideas and problem solving strategies. Throughout his later years, Han was an active member of the Angel Island Docents, Mukilteo Historical Society, Moderator of United Church of Christ, Pasadena 1972 - 1973. President of Engineering Society 1970.

Han was continually concerned with the status of local, national and even world affairs. His keen interest and strong values led him to become active in his community. Serving on committees for the Financial Oversight, Mukilteo Presbyterian Church, and as Docent for Mukilteo Lighthouse. Politically, Han was a Republican party supporter from 1967- 2008.

Faith and spirituality were important to Han. He was a member of Maranatha Reformed Church Montreal (5 years), Pasadena First Congregational Church (15 years), Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Thousand Oaks, CA (10 years) Community Presbyterian Church, Danville, CA (7 years), Mukilteo Presbyterian Church, Washington State (10 Years), St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, San Rafael, CA (1 year). During that time, he served in various capacities: Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, Lay Moderator, and Financial Committee Chair.

Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Han. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Han to expand his ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Favorite vacations included many touring trips to Europe, RV trips across Canada and the USA, and cruises to Alaska.

Han was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. Some of Han's favorites were two dogs, Arthur, a Labradoodle, and Spike, a Lab/Great Dane and most recently, Rusty, an Orange Tabby cat who was his faithful companion during his illness.

Even while in retirement, Han never stopped exercising his inventive talents, and this new phase of his life provided new opportunities for stimulating his interests. In 1999, his new life involved relocating to Mukilteo, WA to follow his wife as she relocated for work. In retirement, he found new pleasure in renovating his home, assisting in selling a 100 year-old church, helping build a new church and socializing with neighbors and friends. Even in retirement, Han continued to stay in touch with his old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. He was active in the community and participated in Mission trips through his church.

During his lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Han. He met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “want-to-bet?” attitude. He always counseled his children to be innovative and try new things and to "fake it till you make it".

Han Adrianus Van Spyk lives on in the memories of those he loved and who loved him, and Heaven is richer for his presence.