Dr. Hendrik Jan Zweerink, 86, known to most as Hans and to the lucky few as “Opa,” passed away peacefully on April 13 at home under hospice care due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease.
Born in Hilversum, the Netherlands, Hans’ early life was shaped by the hardships of World War II and the German occupation of his country. After completing his education including college in Holland, he applied to Cornell University’s graduate food science program on a whim, and was accepted. That same year, he left Holland by boat, arriving in New York with a suitcase, a thick Dutch accent, and a tenacious spirit.
At Cornell, Hans’ academic journey gravitated towards microbiology. He earned a Ph.D. and began a long and distinguished career in scientific research and education. He worked at Duke University as both a professor and researcher. In 1976, his contributions to the field were recognized with a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship in Molecular and Cellular Biology. He served on the editorial boards of a number of scientific journals and published approximately 60 articles which were frequently cited. Hans spent the last 23 years of his scientific career at Merck and Co. and retired in 2001.
Hans instilled in his children a strong sense of political awareness and civic responsibility (he was PTA President at one of their elementary schools). In retirement, he became involved in the Monmouth County Democratic Party and was a member of the Shrewsbury Environmental Commision. He was also an active volunteer and board member of both Lunch Break, a community kitchen, and the Parker Family Health Center in Red Bank.
Hans was equally passionate about the outdoors and staying fit. Known as the “Flying Dutchman” during his days at Duke for biking to work, he remained an avid cyclist into his 80s. He was also a dedicated runner, completing three marathons and numerous half marathons. His children often joked about how family vacations were fun but not always restful. Right up until two weeks before his final hospitalization, he remained a regular at the Red Bank YMCA. Hans had a passion for European football and loved to watch Premier League games on Sundays.
Hans is survived by his devoted wife, Betsy Wattley, and her daughter Elizabeth (Ben) Frantz; his brother Peter (Anneke) Zweerink; his former wife, Jean Matzinger; and their three children and their spouses, Karl (Laurel) Zweerink, Anke (Jamie) Herbert, and Karin (David) Devlin. He leaves behind eight grandchildren (Kevin, Nicholas, Elena, Kimberly (William), Malcolm, Campbell, Hendrik and Lucy) and two step-grandchildren (Mia, Zoe) who will forever cherish memories of “Opa,” especially the annual family trips to Cape Cod.
In the words printed on his favorite t-shirt, Hans believed, “Live simply so that others may simply live.” His life truly embodied this principle.
In honor of Hans’ generous spirit and lifelong commitment to helping others, donations may be made to Lunch Break or the Parker Family Health Center, both in Red Bank, NJ.
Friends and family are invited to attend a Memorial Visitation on Friday, April 25th from 4-6 pm, with words of remembrance at 5:30 pm at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701.
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