On this page you will find tributes to staff members and artists who have passed away and whom we like to remember.
We recently received the sad news that Manuel Kurpershoek had passed away on 6 January last year following a debilitating illness. As a loyal and enthusiastic participant in Huntenkunst, we do not wish to overlook his contribution to our event. He took part in Huntenkunst right from the start. For him, this event was a much-cherished art happening. He was deeply committed to it. It was with great sadness that he had to withdraw; unfortunately, his health no longer allowed him to take part.
He was an amiable and, moreover, a cheerful person. His presence had an uplifting effect. His positive, collegial attitude stood out. Manuel undoubtedly contributed to a pleasant atmosphere. He enjoyed his work and conveyed that experience with enthusiasm. Manuel was a people-oriented person, which he also expressed in his work, particularly his drawings.
During his illness, he produced distinctive portraits of his fellow sufferers – people who were literally marked by their chemotherapy. Books featuring these drawings of his were published. He was also a socially committed artist. For instance, he stepped in to help when, in 2007, Huntenkunst was in danger of losing its premises. In a letter, he highlighted the value of our work. He described Huntenkunst as ‘the friendliest art fair in the Netherlands and the surrounding area’.
We remember Manuel with gratitude. Alongside his contribution, he leaves behind a wealth of works as a cherished memento.
On 17 August 2024, Egbert Hermsen passed away at the age of 74. He was of great significance to Huntenkunst. For many years, he devoted himself entirely to our organisation as a volunteer. He created sculptures himself and therefore felt right at home with us as an arts organisation. His interest was entirely natural. He was a lover of the visual arts. He had an appreciation for beauty. His work reveals his sensitivity and the pleasure he took in creating sculptures. What stood out about Egbert was how easily, tactfully and amiably he interacted with people. That made him ideally suited to looking after our volunteers. For us as a voluntary organisation, they were an indispensable group, and so he carried out important work. The volunteers were in good hands with him, and he maintained a good rapport with them. His motto was ‘You must cherish volunteers’. Their meals were catered for perfectly and stylishly under his guidance. For this, he could rely on his sister Mient. For Egbert, a convivial atmosphere was important, and he encouraged this amongst his team. He was people-oriented. A good team spirit meant everything to him. He was also a capable administrator. Many organisations would have been delighted to have him as a board member. We were delighted that he became a board member of our foundation. Meetings with him were a pleasure, and his input was greatly appreciated. As an expert, his experience meant he instinctively knew what was feasible and what was not.
He took on his role with a sense of duty and a strong sense of responsibility. It was a setback that his physical condition prevented him from continuing and he was forced to step down. Illness brought his role within our foundation to an abrupt end. There were even fears for his life. This must also have been a major setback for Egbert. He was, after all, entirely dedicated to serving the community, even though this took a heavy toll on his health. He already had a history of serious medical conditions. In 2002, he received a donor lung, and in 2007 his remaining lung was removed due to cancer, so that he continued his life with just one donor lung. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to the organ donor organisation. Through a series of talks, he shared his story and emphasised the importance of organ donation. In doing so, he used himself as an example, thereby bringing the significance of organ donation to life. He is the inspiration behind the sculpture ‘De Klim’. This National Organ Donation Monument draws special attention to the cause of organ donation. His commitment to numerous community activities did not go unnoticed. In recognition of this, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau. He was also presented with the Golden Klim lapel pin as a surprise. The pin was awarded to him for his efforts to raise awareness of organ donation. We, too, owe Egbert a great debt of gratitude for what he has done for us. We wish his wife Anne and his children every support in coping with this great loss.
Harrie Schenning
Chairman
