Aalt VERKERK Obituary

Thinking of a kind man i met on my travel through New Zealand.
Rest in peace meneer Verkerk

My deepest condolences to all members of the Verkerk family.
I feel very, very sad about your loss. I only found out today doing my routine shopping at Vagues Road. I was truly lost for words, couldn't think of anything to say to the very nice Asian shop assistant and left the shop in silence.
I met Aalt for the first time in your factory shop in 1995 shortly after immigrating from northern Europe. Aalt was standing at the shop door greeting customers. He shook my hands and asked me: "What are you after son?" At the time I had no idea who this guy was, but looking into his eyes I felt weirdly connected straight away. I told him I was looking for a good sausage, something with less than 51% flour or binding agents, and joked: 'something that is worth-while to be sold at a butcher's shop and not a bakery'. He laughed, told me I am at the right place and introduced me to his products. Since then I have been a loyal weekly customer and hardly ever bought any meat products some place else. I met Aalt on various other occasions. He always called me 'son' and I eventually started calling him 'Opa', which he liked. Opa showed me how to choose the perfect ribeye steak and what to look for in other types of meat. We loved to tease each other; me often replying in 'pigeon Dutch'. It must have been around 1997/98 when I asked him why NZ sausages and salamis are spiced as if to be sold to a rehabilation clinic for patients with stomach ulcers in Europe. He looked at me curiously and replied: "The market is not ready for that. Have you found a brand of coffee yet that resembles what you have been used to in Europe?" I said: I don't think so, but one can get used to many things in life. He replied: here you have your answer.
In retrospect, Aalt's foresight was rather intrigueing. The coffee culture started to boom around the turn of the century, and so did the spices in Verkerks sausages. Others followed years later. There were no Chorizos around in 1995, nor could you find an espresso that made your heart race.
In 2012 we have a variety of spiced sausages and salamis. Thank you Aalt!
I will miss you very much.
For all you left behind I feel lost of words. No word is good enough to help you over this period. I know you will do that in your own time.

Love

Ralf

So sorry to hear about the loss of your lovely father and Opa. I have wonderful memories of him while working at Verkerks Vagues Road. Always happy, smiling and a box full of peanut slabs or chocolate bars for all his workers.Love to all the family.

Dear members of the Verkerk family,
With sadness we have received the news of Aalt`s translation into the Glory of his precious Lord.
We want to express our sincere sympathy and we pray that you may be very much aware of God`s ongoing care in these difficult days. With our loving greetings, especially to Ans.
Jitse and Leny de Hoop
Manoah Homes - Martin WA