Bertus Bruggeman dies
According to his family, he completed his degree in mechanical engineering and finally set off on an adventure halfway around the world, when he married Ria Rientjes and moved to start a life and family in South Africa.
Benonian Bertus Bruggeman died on July 30 at the age of 94.
He was the former chairperson of the Benoni Camera Club, a member and president of the Benoni Probus Club and a member of the Benoni Van Ryn Rotary Club for over 30 years.
Born in August 1926 in the Netherlands, Bruggeman helped family and friends in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands through WWII, he fought for his country in Southeast Asia, where he acquired a love of all things Indonesian.
According to his family, he completed his degree in mechanical engineering and finally set off on an adventure halfway around the world, when he married Ria Rientjes and moved to start a life and family in South Africa.
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The couple raised one daughter and four sons.
“Bertus loved photography and had a catalogue of beautiful photographs of landscapes and wildlife from his holidays and trips,” the family said.
“He had a wonderful sense of humour and loved to make his grandchildren and great-grandchildren laugh.
Bertus and Ria travelled the world, always sharing their love of travel and other cultures with their family.”
Bruggeman is survived by his five children: Josie, Rob, Eric, Allan and Peter, and his 10 grandchildren: Stephanie, Lauren, Andrew, Jessica, Kenny, Shaun, Jade, Michael, Kaira and Dean, as well as his two great-grandchildren, Cody and Chayton.
“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Always near, still loved, still missed and very dear,” the family concluded.
“May your soul rest in peace until we meet again.”
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