Dirk Kronemeyer

Dirk (Dick) Kronemeijer was born on Easter Sunday 1933, the third of 12 children, in Haulerwijk, Friesland, TheNetherlands. As a boy Dick had great adventures near the dikes around their home. In school, he was academically giftedand enjoyed competing with his older sisters. He helped his father run the local grocery business, delivering groceries bybicycle to neighbours, often adding his favourite cookies to the cart, hoping for an invitation to visit.

Appreciation for music was instilled in Dick at a young age, and during World War 2 he was taught, in secret, toplay the Dutch national anthem on the household organ. When the Canadian troops liberated their town, he played thesong at full volume!

Career opportunities were scarce in Holland after the war, so with an adventurous spirit and a desire to makeroom for his brothers in the family business, Dick emmigrated to Canada in April 1953, celebrating his birthday on theship. He changed the spelling of his name to Kronemeyer at this time. After working for a short time with a farmer inTelkwa, he got into the lumber business, and soon bought his own sawmill. Shortly after, he met a girl named Connie whostole his heart with her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes. They were married in Houston on October 17, 1958, and spenttheir first years living in a rustic cabin in the "bush" beside the sawmill. They were blessed with four daughters in the firstfive years - Mavis, Shirley, Linda, and Diane. They moved into Smithers and had two more children - Ed and Monica. Thesawmill business grew into a successful logging company which they operated until the early 1990s.

Dick was involved on the local Christian School board and served as an elder in his church. In his retirement Dickenjoyed serving at the Anglican Church soup kitchen and on the board of the BV Christian Seniors housing society. Dickwas known and loved as a warm, kind, intelligent, supportive man of strong faith who used his gifts of leadership andservice to bless those around him. He had a deep appreciation for music, art, and literature as well as spending time innature, but above all he loved God and spending time with the people God placed in his life.

Dick is survived by his wife of 66 years, Connie, and five of his six children, as well as several brothers andsisters in the Netherlands. He is pre-deceased by his daughter Diane, and five of his sisters.

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