The Netherlands and the world bid farewell to a remarkable list of individuals in 2024, ranging from cultural icons and athletes to war heroes and political leaders. Among them were André Hissink, the last surviving pilot of the 320 Dutch Squadron in World War II, and renowned pianist and composer Laurens van Rooyen.
January
January 1: André Hissink, a 104-year-old WWII veteran, was the last surviving pilot of the 320 Dutch Squadron of the British Royal Air Force. He completed over 60 combat flights across France, the Netherlands, and Germany, earning the prestigious Flying Cross for his service.
January 7: Franz Beckenbauer, aged 78, a legendary footballer, led West Germany to victory in the 1974 World Cup as captain and won the European Championship two years earlier. As head coach, he also secured the 1990 World Cup for Germany.
January 11: Arie van der Valk, 94, was a key figure in the hospitality industry and co-founder of the Van der Valk hotel and restaurant chain, which now boasts over 100 locations worldwide.
January 17: Bennie Muller, 85, a celebrated Ajax footballer, played 426 official matches for the club between 1958 and 1970. He won five national titles, three KNVB Cups, and earned 43 caps for the Dutch national team.
January 23: Frank Farian, 82, a German music producer, was the creative force behind bands like Milli Vanilli and Boney M., performing vocals for hits such as “Daddy Cool” and “Rivers of Babylon” while frontman Bobby Farrell mimed the lyrics.
February
February 4: Jan van Veen, 79, a former DJ, became a household name as the host of Candlelight, a radio program known for its romantic poetry recitations. He was named a Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2009.
February 5: Dries van Agt, 93, a former Dutch prime minister, led three consecutive cabinets from 1977 to 1982. He later advocated for Palestinian rights.
February 18: Piet Venema, 91, the ice master for the grueling 1997 Elfstedentocht skating event, participated in the race four times, including the infamous 1963 edition, regarded as the most challenging.
February 23: Joan Haanappel, 83, a former figure skater, won three European Championship bronze medals in the 1950s and competed in two Winter Olympics.
February 25: Bigidagoe, a 26-year-old Dutch rapper and member of the Zone6 collective, was fatally shot in Amsterdam.
March
March 4: Kees Rijvers, 97, a former footballer and coach, led the Dutch national team during the infamous 1984 European Championship qualification failure. He achieved success with PSV Eindhoven, winning the UEFA Cup and three national titles.
March 14: Frans de Waal, 75, a primatologist, gained international acclaim for his 1982 book Chimpanzee Politics, which explored primate behavior and emotions.
March 21: Laurens van Rooyen, 88, a pianist and composer, created scores for films such as Een vrouw als Eva and was part of the group Gevleugelde Vrienden.
March 24: Def Rhymz, 53, a Dutch-Surinamese rapper known for hits like “Schudden” and “Doekoe,” passed away.
March 25: Humphrey Campbell, 66, represented the Netherlands in the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest with “Wijs Me De Weg” and collaborated with artists like Ruth Jacott.
March 26: Richard Serra, 85, an American sculptor, was renowned for his massive steel installations, including Sea Levelin Zeewolde and Open Ended at Museum Voorlinden.
March 31: Rob Kaman, 63, a former kickboxer, secured nine world titles and won 97 of his 112 fights, 77 by knockout.
May
May 2: Sjoukje Dijkstra, 82, an Olympic figure skating champion in 1964, also claimed three world titles and five European titles.
May 11: Rick Brink, 38, the Netherlands’ first Minister of Disabilities Affairs, served from 2019 to 2021, advocating for people with disabilities.
May 23: Rudolf Spoor, 85, a television director, captured historic moments such as the 1969 moon landing and the 1982 royal wedding of Willem-Alexander and Máxima.
June
June 1: Harry van Hoof, 81, a conductor and arranger, was involved in multiple Dutch Eurovision entries and collaborated with artists like Ramses Shaffy.
June 5: Kees Vierhouten, 51, a businessman and owner of Go Ahead Eagles, played a key role in the football club’s European qualification in 2022.
June 11: Françoise Hardy, 80, a French singer, gained fame with hits like “Tous les garçons et les filles” and appeared in films such as Château en Suède.
June 19: Jan Cremer, 84, a writer and painter, shocked audiences with his explicit novel Ik Jan Cremer and exhibited his artwork globally.
July
July 12: Tonke Dragt, 93, an acclaimed children’s author, was celebrated for classics like De brief voor de koning, which won the Griffel der Griffels in 2004.
July 12: Ellis Brandon, 101, a WWII resistance courier and the last known Engelandvaarder, was honored with the Resistance Memorial Cross for aiding Jewish families.
July 15: Wieteke van Dort, 81, an actress and singer, was known for her roles in children’s shows like De Stratemakeropzeeshow and her work in Het Klokhuis.
July 26: Jacques d’Ancona, 86, a journalist and prominent TV talent show judge, was also a leading theater critic in the Netherlands.
July 26: Frits Goldschmeding, 90, the billionaire founder of Randstad, grew the company into a global HR leader with 40,000 employees in 39 countries.
August
August 14: Eugènie Herlaar, 84, the first female presenter of NOS Journaal, broke barriers as the first person of color in the role in 1965.
September
September 6: Pim de la Parra, 84, a Surinamese filmmaker, gained fame with his 1971 film Blue Movie and his iconic work Wan Pipel (1976).
September 10: Michaela DePrince, 29, a Sierra Leonean-American ballerina, left the Dutch National Ballet in 2022 to join Boston Ballet.
October
October 2: Martin Schröder, 93, founder of Martinair, transformed his company from a small charter service into a major vacation airline.
October 6: Johan Neeskens, 73, a Dutch football icon, played for Ajax, FC Barcelona, and the Dutch national team, later serving as a coach.
October 7: Hans van Hemert, 79, a music producer, created the girl group Luv’ and received the Buma Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
October 21: Flory Anstadt, 95, the creator of Kinderen voor Kinderen, received multiple awards for her contributions to Dutch music and television.
October 27: Hans Kemna, 84, a casting director, was instrumental in casting for films like De Aanslag, which won an Academy Award.
November
November 5: Sytze van der Zee, 85, a journalist and former editor-in-chief of Het Parool, also served as a correspondent for NRC Handelsblad.
November 10: Stanley Rensch, 84, a Surinamese human rights activist, founded Moiwana ’86 after a massacre by military forces.
November 18: Jan Keizer, 84, a renowned football referee, officiated at major international tournaments, including the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
November 20: John Bernard, 87, a TV meteorologist, was also known for his advocacy for seniors through the National Elderly Fund.
November 24: Breyten Breytenbach, 85, a South African anti-apartheid activist and writer, published over 50 books, primarily in Afrikaans.
November 25: André Haakmat, 85, a Surinamese politician and lawyer, fled to the Netherlands after opposing military leader Desi Bouterse.
November 30: Eva Hermans-Kroot, 26, a blogger with terminal lung cancer, shared her journey with half a million Instagram followers and wrote a memoir.
December
December 19: Henk de Roo, 69, lead singer of The Dutch Boys, was best known for the 1982 hit “Boer Harms.”
December 24: Desi Bouterse, 79, a former Surinamese president, orchestrated a 1980 coup and was convicted in 2023 for his role in the 1982 December murders.
December 26: Jan Plesman, 79, a KLM pilot, re-enacted the historic 1934 London-Melbourne flight of De Uiver in 1984.