OOSTINGH VAN ZEEVELD, Roelof, 1924-2015 - Obituary (Overlijdensbericht)
plaats: Crozet [Virginia, Verenigde Staten]
Datum: 2 februari 2015
Oostingh, Roelof Van Zeeveld
Feb 8, 2015
Roelof Van Zeeveld Oostingh, born October 15, 1924 in Batavia, Dutch East Indies (now Jakarta, Indonesia), the son of Dr. Roelof Oostingh and Johanna Helena Magermans Oostingh, died Monday, February 2, 2015 at age 90, at The Lodge at Old Trail in Crozet, Virginia.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Petronella Elisabeth Oostingh; and his two daughters, Reina Oostingh, her husband, Charles R. Braley III, of Free Union, Virginia, and their daughter, Bridget, and Freya Oostingh and her husband, Dr. Edward A. Chastka, of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, and their children, Astrid, Beatrice, William, Owen, Nicholas and Connor. In addition, he is survived by his sister-in-law, Margot Oostingh; and two nieces, Marjolijn Oostingh and Rosemarijn Oostingh and their children, all of The Hague, the Netherlands. He was predeceased by his beloved brother, Dr. Frits Oostingh. He returned to the Netherlands from Indonesia with his family before the outbreak of World War II, and following their marriage, he and his wife emigrated to South Africa.
There he began a career in public relations with General Motors in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, continuing with the company through transfers to Toronto, Montreal, Detroit, and New York City. Thereafter, he followed his life-long dream of teaching. After completing his doctorate in Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Virginia, he was a professor for many years at Connecticut College and Sweet Briar College, where he was much loved by his students. Returning to Charlottesville in the early 1980s he embarked on a new career with FSTC (now NGIC) as a translator, with his knowledge of more than eight languages. After his retirement he continued to pursue his many interests, including philology, jazz, current affairs, human culture, and his wife's delicious cooking.Roelof Oostingh was cherished by his family and many friends for his erudition, wonderful sense of humor, and joie de vivre.His family would like to thank his compassionate and devoted caregivers at The Lodge at Old Trail and Legacy Hospice.
A private gathering will be held for friends of the family at a later date.