Peter J. Van Der Schans Passed Away
Peter J. Van Der Schans, age 82, of Austin, Texas, died Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Peter J. Van Der SchansPeter Van Der Schans was born and raised in Gouda, Holland. He was the eldest son of Johannes and Marie van Der Schans. He obtained a Baccalaureate of Civil Engineering from The Technical College in Holland, after which he attended the Officers School of the Royal Engineers Corps graduating in 1948.
After fulfilling his duty as Officer in the Dutch Army, Mr. Van Der Schans departed for Saudi Arabia in 1951 to join the Arabian American Oil Company. From 1957 until 1962, Mr. Van Der Schans worked for the MW Kellogg Co. in various Engineering capacities in North and South America after which he returned to the ARAMCO in Saudi from which he retired in 1985.
Peter enjoyed sailing, tennis, photography, and was particularly involved in the Junior Tennis Program while in Saudi Arabia as well as during an assignment in Holland.
As a single parent he was tremendously involved in the upbringing of his son Robert, and daughter, Tanya. His proudest moments were when they graduated from College. He called it "Mission Accomplished"!
During the early stage of retirement in Austin, TX, he met his wonderful wife Ursula. Together they traveled all over North America and Europe. As Peter says, they were both young all over again.
Peter is survived by Ursula Alley, his wife of 15 years, his son Robert and wife Gretchen, his daughter Tanya and husband Byron Borel, his brother Neil and wife Johanna, his sister Mieke and husband Alexander Gelley, six grandchildren who lovingly called him Opa, and nieces, nephews, and extended families.
Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, July 26, 2009 at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Graveside services to follow at Austin Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances may be sent to the following: Hospice Austin's Christopher House, American Cancer Society, or Habitat for Humanity.