Pieter Dirck Vreede

Pieter Vreede M.D. of Ann Arbor Michigan, died peacefully, surrounded by family on September 23 2023 at the age of 96.

Pieter Vreede was born in Nijmegen, the Netherlands to his parents Ewoud Adrianus Vreede and Johanna Maria Petronella Cornelia de Maret Tak on January 18, 1927. His father was a Rear Admiral in the Dutch Navy so the family moved frequently living in both the Netherlands and Indonesia. By the start of WWII his father had retired and they were living in The Hague when in 1940 the Netherlands was occupied. These were difficult years as his father was arrested and became a Prisoner of War, his mother suffered from chronic illness and his older sisters were actively involved in the Underground Resistance. During this time he escaped conscription with a falsified ID and actively cared for his younger sister. During the Dutch Hongerwinter (“hunger winter”) he bicycled to local farmers, exchanging his father’s cigars for food.

Following the war, he completed his medical degree from the University of Leiden in 1951. He moved to the US for his medical residency at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor and became a US citizen. In 1957, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he worked as a physician in Washington DC and later the reserves. In 1961 he completed a Fellowship in Rheumatology at the University of Michigan, later working in clinical research studies through Parke Davis and practicing medicine in his own private practice. He was the consummate old school physician, making house calls and being available both day and night. In 1999 he closed his practice and worked part time at the University of Michigan. He retired at age 80, after caring for patients for over 55 years.

After retirement he could be found reading the New York Times, tending to his garden with his dog Moxi, or eating ice cream. He especially looked forward to family gatherings, where he would talk about his varied life experiences and love of family. Pieter will be remembered by his family for his kindness, wisdom and selfless dedication to others. He was a good listener, providing wise counsel and support in times of need.

Pieter is preceded in death by his parents and sisters Delia, Elleke and Marycke. He is survived by his wife, Naomi Gilbert; his former spouse, Carolina Vreede; his step sister Mariette (Westendorp); his 7 children, Pieter (Beth), Marycke Shaver (Neal), Marc (Lisa), Christopher (Libby), Quinta (Caren Stalburg), Eric (Sarah) and Andrew (Molly Whiteman); his 15 grandchildren, Megan Shaver Rivera (Cesar), Malinda Spandikow (Christopher), Alex, Elise Greenberg (Ben), Cate, Dana, Eric, Emily, Jon, Nic, Max, Elleke, Charlie, Harry and Sam; and his 5 great-grandchildren, Crawford, Delia, Nico, Oliver, and Caroline.

A Celebration of Life is planned for November 11, 2023. Those wishing to attend may send a note to [email protected] or any of the family members to obtain details.