Obituaries

It is with deep sadness that the family of Dirk Hoogeveen, late of Regina, SK, announces his passing on August 29, 2026 at the age of 99.

Dirk is survived by Johanna, his wife of 73 years; his daughters Veronica (Keith) of Regina, Saskatchewan, Alida (Bryant) of Lacombe, Alberta, and Patricia (Garnet) of Calgary, Alberta; his seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Julia, in the Netherlands; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended relatives across the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States.

Dirk was born on August 14, 1927, in Bleiswijk, Netherlands, to Alida Agatha Hoogeveen (née Van Daalen) and Klaas Hoogeveen, who predeceased him on February 20, 1938. Growing up, Dirk lived through the crisis years of the 1930s and the German occupation of the Netherlands from May 10, 1940 to May 5, 1945. The worst of the war came after 1944, when food and fuel were cut off from the 4.5 million inhabitants of the western Netherlands. By December 1944, hunger had set in, and all electricity and coal gas were shut off. In November and December of that year, the German forces executed razzias (raids), hunting for men aged 16 to 40 to deport for forced labour in Germany. Over 150,000 men were taken. Bleiswijk experienced three specific raids in early December, escalated by German Marines stationed in Rotterdam. Dirk often recalled, “Our house had a hiding place - a false ceiling with space for four men. We could hear them walk through the house.”

Following the war, Dirk finished high school and completed his technical training in early July 1952. In November 1949, he met his future wife, Johanna (Jo) Van Gelderen, the only child of Leentje (née van der Pols) and Johannes Jacobus van Gelderen. At that time, her family was still homeless, as they had lost everything in the bombardment of Rotterdam on May 14, 1940. They stayed with relatives and friends until finally acquiring their own residence in April 1950.

Dirk and Jo were married on February 18, 1953, and began their emigration journey to Canada on March 19, 1953, boarding the SS Groote Beer. Arriving in Halifax on March 28, they traveled across Canada to reach their government - assigned destination of Regina, Saskatchewan, on April 1 at 8:15 a.m.

Dirk built a distinguished 32-year career at the Saskatchewan Power Corporation. In the early years, he was instrumental in bringing electricity to rural Saskatchewan. His electrical designs and achievements were highly regarded by rural communities and notable politicians, including Tommy Douglas. In the early 1970s, Dirk won an international award for his innovative design to light the Borden Bridge.

Dirk and Johanna raised their family in both Regina and Saskatoon. Committed to community service, Dirk was a long-time Rotarian who deeply invested his time in the Rotary Youth Exchange program, hosting students from around the world. Through Rotary he attended international conferences and forged lifelong global friendships. Dirk and Johanna also shared a passion for square dancing as long-time members of the Wesley Whirlers, they enjoyed attending the costume parties and special dances, and they made many friends. Later in life, Dirk became an avid genealogy researcher and served as President of the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society for several years.

Above all, Dirk cherished his family. They shared memorable trips back to Holland to visit relatives, camping adventures through the western mountains and eastern prairies, and countless family dinners filled with laughter - though strictly no singing, which remained a hard and fast rule around the table.

When the family tree expanded with marriages and grandchildren, Dirk proudly updated the genealogical pedigree chart. He had a special connection with each of his grandchildren. The arrival of great-grandchildren became another cherished addition.

As Dirk requested, there will be no funeral. The family will be holding private memorial events. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Dirk may be made to a charity of your own choosing.