Dear children of Arjan,

We have known your father since our youth. He lived on Rijssensestraat in Wierden, less than a kilometer from our home. At that time I was already riding horses, and your father had just gotten his first pony. He joined the Eschruiters in Wierden, and from then on we spent a great deal of time together. Arjan quickly grew into a fine horseman and eventually rode a young Gelderland horse that he trained himself. It was a beautiful and gentle animal named Atlas.

In those days it was customary for weddings to be accompanied by a procession of riders on horseback. Arjan always took part. I often drove the wedding carriage with two horses in front. On one occasion, one of the horses went lame along the way and we could not continue. I suggested that your father unsaddle his horse and harness it to the carriage instead. Without hesitation he did so — that was so typical of Arjan: always ready to help.

I also had the honor of driving your parents in the wedding carriage on their wedding day and of being an official witness at their marriage. After we ourselves were married, they went to live in Wierden, just a short distance from us. Even after your parents moved to America, we remained in Wierden. Your father returned faithfully over the years to attend Indoor Wierden, and those visits were precious moments to us.

In the late 1990s I visited you in Attica. You were all still very young at the time. We had a wonderful stay together. I even remember receiving a small gift from Justin, because you thought it was so special that I had come to visit your father.

We will miss your father dearly. We wish you strength, comfort, and peace as you carry this great loss.

Once again, please accept our deepest condolences.

Wim and Joke Maassen van den Brink - Wierden