Berend "Dutch" Wieringa was born March 4, 1935 in Groningen, The Netherlands, and as a young boy loved to draw, sing, and play in a band with his father. As the years went by he became more involved with singing and that became an outlet for his talents.
In the 80’s, Dutch and his wife, Ann, designed and built custom metal sculptures for homes and businesses, including a line of metal art for a home interiors company. They also showed their wholesale line in the World Trade Center in Dallas.
After a stroke in 1999, and with the closing of a business that year, on doctor’s orders, Dutch revived his metal sculpturing talents with some new, and some old designs and techniques, executed in his studio in Dallas, Texas.
Dutch died peacefully and passed into the arms of Jesus on November 11, 2009. This page is but a small tribute to my loving father for all he has done for me. Thanks dad, I will always love you.
As a boy my dad had homing pigeons. When he settled down in Texas he picked back up his hobby. As a kid I remember we had 2 pigeon coops in my back yard. He would put on his hat (to keep off the poop) and take an old coffee can with a little birdseed in it and whistle to call them in for the night.
Lauren's school journal entry summer 2009
… my Grandma opened the door and said “Hello” (with a big smile). We said “hello” back and gave (Opa) a great big warm hug. My Grandma and I made parmesan chicken for dinner and spinach salad for appetizer. It smelled delicious and we couldn’t wait to eat. Finally the time came to eat and we said the blessing and ate. After dinner we cleaned the dishes and my parents had to go. Then my grandparents, brother and I went to see “Treasure Island”.
“I have absolutely loved today” I told my grandma. “Today was the best day ever and always will be!” “I’m glad you liked it” said my Grandma. Yep, and I will never forget it. I thought to myself. I learned that even when I’m (scared), if I’m with family, I’m ok. I feel that even though my grandpa (Opa) is disabled, he is still my “Superman” flying through the air!
My opa (grandfather) was a very sweet man, who loved the sound of laughter, the sight of friends, and most importantly the sight and sound family. He sadly had several strokes so he could not walk very easily. Because of this, when he was out of the house he always had to be in a wheelchair and in the house he had to use a walker. Although he had this problem he always knew how to make people laugh no matter how much pain or misery he was in he always had a smile on his face as well. One interesting thing I would never have guessed about him is he only had nine toes. This is because when he was a kid he was in the World War 2 (even though he was in the World War 2 he did not actually fight in it) he had super tight shoes and he could not get new ones for the whole thing. So when he came out and the war was over he went to the doctor and asked him if he could cut it off se he did and so from then on he only had nine toes. He was born in Holland therefore he was Dutch but when he was old enough he moved to America. There he met Hetty (My Oma) and they eventual got married. Then they had two beautiful daughters and one handsome son, their names were Rose, Mary and Raymond. When they grew up sadly, Mary died. (What she died from is not important.) But Rose and Raymond grew up fully and had kids. Rose is my aunt and she is now a grandma herself. Now she has two children and three beautiful grand children. Raymond is my dad and has three children the oldest is Michael but we call him Todd and he is twenty one and in his last year in collage. The middle is Christopher but we call him Chris he is fifteen and on his first year in high school. Lastly there's me. I am nine and in fourth grade. We all really miss Opa.
Next weekend is fathers day - I hope everyone that has a father loves hims no matter what you situation is. I loved mine very much and this is my 2nd fathers day without him and it kills me to say the least. I would give anything just to hear his laugh again or have that hug! I wish I had a place to go to see you or even see your strong name on a headstone nearby. I wish I could tell you how much I love and miss you... but you already know. xoxoxox
To my Dad on Father's Day 2011
Life Lessons
You may have thought I didn't see,
Or that I hadn't heard,
Life lessons that you taught to me,
But I got every word.
Perhaps you thought I missed it all,
And that we'd grow apart,
But Dad, I picked up everything,
It's written on my heart.
Without you, Dad, I wouldn't be
The man I am today;
You built a strong foundation
No one can take away.
I've grown up with your values,
And I'm very glad I did;
So here's to you, dear father,
From your forever grateful kid.
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