Dick Johan Van Gerve's Obituary
Dick Johan van Gerve, 88, passed away on January 17, 2023 in Palm Coast, Florida, after a battle with Alzheimer. He was born February 27th, 1934, in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, the son of Dirk and Johanna Elisabeth van Gerve.
Dick obtained a Textile Engineering degree in Enschede, the Netherlands. After traveling the world for a very successful career in textile printing machinery sales with Stork Brabant B.V., a Dutch multinational company, he became CEO of Stork Screens and Stork United in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1975. Subsequently, he moved with his wife and two daughters to the US. After his retirement in 1997, Dick made plans to move to Palm Coast, Florida, where Joki and he moved to in 2005.
Dick was married for over 63 years to his precious Joki Ravenshorst - van Gerve. They loved traveling, attending live music events, such as the Charlotte Symphony orchestra and many jazz clubs in New York. Attending and supporting live sports events took up a large part of their free time as well. The Team Tennis event at Olde Providence was never missed and both Dick and Joki were die-hard fans of the Charlotte Checkers ice hockey team. Dining out and eating exotic foods and drinks was something they both enjoyed as well, and also hosting many BBQ’s at their home.
The traveling with his family started by camping across Europe. Later this was done with a camper and finally by boat, sailing across the Ijsselmeer in the Netherlands. Once in the US, Dick continued sailing and spending as much time as he could on the water. It was therefore not strange that he ended up living on the water at Lake Norman in NC and finally close to the ocean in Palm Coast FL.
Dick also loved to read, and it was rare to not see him with a book in his hands. Dutch soccer was also something he did not want to miss, so he made sure to add all soccer channels on his tv. Throughout Dick’s life he played bridge both with friends as well as playing competitively at Bridge Clubs. Finally you can say that Dick was nuts about cars and about keeping up with Wall Street.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Nita Deckers, and his brother, Hans van Gerve. He is survived by his wife Johanna (Joki) van Gerve, Palm Coast, FL; his daughters, Colette van Gerve, Cuijk, the Netherlands, and Jacqueline Umana, Maumelle, Arkansas; grandsons Cody Asbroek and Calvin Asbroek, Cuijk, the Netherlands.
The family wants to thank all of his caregivers at Tuscan Gardens and Palm Aging Life Management, Palm Coast for their relentless care, patience, and love they surrounded him with.
Dick was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, friend and colleague and he will be sorely missed, especially by his immediate family.
You honor Dick’s life by wearing colorful prints always!
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to your local Alzheimer Association in Dick’s memory.
A private Celebration of Dick’s life was held on January 26.
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