October 24, 1950 ( Leersum, The Netherlands) – July 7, 2024 (Victoria, BC)
During the evening of July 7, 2024 at Royal Jubilee Hospital I held the hand of the love of my life as he passed from this realm of existence. There to support his transition were his brother and sister-in-law Nathen and Liz Derksan. Hen and I had much more living and loving to do but 35 years was all that we were given. I had the privilege of loving him and being loved by him for all those years.
Henry was an unassuming and humble man. His humility could only be surpassed by his immense creative talent and his intellectual brilliance. Whatever Hen turned his hand to, the result would be near perfection and his own evaluation, although he was proud of his accomplishments, rarely rose to the level of praise or accolades he received from others.
Hen walked softly as he moved through life. He had such a gentle spirit. I never heard an unkind word said about him. Nor did I ever hear him speak unkindly of others. It was easy to like Hen. He treated everyone with kindness, compassion, acceptance and respect. His love of animals was evidenced by his constantly full pocket of “treats”. His feline buddy Lukas, who was the beneficiary of many of those “treats”, will miss him forever.
Hen’s work life was spent primarily at Ellett Industries in Port Coquitlam where he worked as a metal fabricator/metal finisher and welder for almost 40 years. He became known as one of the best metal polishers around. Hen made some lifelong friends through his work. Even after retirement to Qualicum Beach, BC he stayed in contact with many of his work mates. They will miss his phone calls I am sure.
Hen’s passion was music. From a very early age it was clear that Hen was a musician. His family say he was practically born with a guitar in his hands. He was entirely self-taught. Not having the ability to read or write music, Hen viewed it only as an occasional nuisance while he composed songs. He seemed to enjoy the freedom of “no rules”. No longer will I hear the sweet live tunes coming from his studio. No longer will I be asked what I thought of a new tune or riff. Without exception, all those who were lucky enough to hear Hen play would be amazed that the same hands that built huge metal tanks could also play a guitar with such a delicate approach at times. He mentored many a young guitarist/musician who all benefited from the expertise he generously and freely offered.
Hen’s creative talents extended to metal and wood sculptures large and small, stained glass windows and objects, photography, and more. But, Hen was most proud of his ability to repair guitars and build them from scratch. He built several cigar box guitars, a guitar from a tabletop with inlaid wood – in other words, in Hen’s mind anything could become a guitar and he was going to build it!
Nobody could make me laugh like Hen did. His sense of humour was renowned among family and friends. Hen would deliver observational humour that could literally have you on the floor laughing uncontrollably (or at least bending over in hysterics).
How does one fully encapsulate the life and spirit of a person in a few lines for an obituary? I can’t. Hen was much more than the few words I share here. The best years of my life were with Hen. He made me a better person and I will do my utmost not to tamper with that legacy.
Hen believed that there had to be something after this earthly life. If there is, I hope that he has met up with his lifelong friend and guitar buddy Gord. And may those two have one heck of a jam session with Stevie Ray Vaughn & Jeff Beck – just 2 of Hen’s guitar heroes.
Hen was predeceased by both parents, Frank and Cornelia Derksen; brother Andre; brother Frank; mother-in-law Elspeth Sommer; brother-in-law Al Berglund; and nephew Steve Berglund. He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Kat Derksen. Hen will be remembered with great love and affection by his brother and sister-in-law Nathen & Liz Derksan; sister Thea Berglund; nephews Mike Berglund, Frank Berglund, Alex Derksan (Shea), and Keenen Derksan; by great-nephews Jordan Berglund and Anthony Berglund, great-niece Natalie Berglund and by their mother Angela Berglund. Hen was much adored and will be missed by his family through marriage; brother-in-law Rick Sommer, niece Mollie Sommer and her children Austin & Ella; Nephew Sam Sommer, his wife Brooke and their son Jack; aunt Judi Sommer; uncle Warren Sommer; aunt Robin Sommer and cousin Karen Sommer.
No service by request. A Celebration of Life in Qualicum Beach will be planned for a later date. In the meantime, Hen and I would be honoured if you would listen to Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Riviera Paradise”. It was his favourite composition. And you might choose to sip on a glass of Boomsma – Hen’s favourite gin. It is a “softer and sweeter spirit” than other gins. Just like Hen.
Good-Night Babe. I love you.
Kat
Hen’s passion was music and he believed that every child should have access to music education. In keeping with this, in lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to help youth access music education/mentorship:
Sarah McLachlan School of Music, 138 East 7th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5T 1M6
www.sarahschoolofmusic.com
Beautiful tribute to a life well lived.
Such fitting words Kat and although l never had the privilege of meeting Hen these words make me feel l knew him more than l did. I know what he meant to you Kat and l hope in time to come these loving memories and things that you will be surrounded by bring you some comfort. My deepest sympathy to you Kat and all family and friends.
In my mainly inarticulate ways, I would say briefly that art is the language of the soul, and that Hen was fluent in several dialects.
Amazing obituary Kat!
My wife Maria and I sending our love and condolences!
Yes, Hen was right, death is not the end, I too believe there is another level of existence called home!
Love from
Tony and Maria Paone
Note: Sorry about my English!
Heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved him, especially his family. Rest in Peace ‘Hen’.. although it sounds like you won’t be resting. You are now free to float like a musical note. Your spirit will forever be present and surround everyone and everything in life that you touched so positively with your gentle and caring demeanor.
Your words are great Kat. I felt like a knew him. I wish I did know him!
I love music and will play Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Riviera Paradise” All the best. Kat
I never met Hen, but have been the recipient of the generosity of both of you in the past! Thoughts and prayers are for both of you and everyone else that will feel the loss of him in their life. Your words are beautiful and a true testament of the man he surely was.
Through tears, I am listening to SRV and thinking about the wonderful sentiments you’ve so generously shared, Kat. Hen was such a beautiful person and I do believe he goes on. It makes sense that, in this life, he would choose such a beautiful partner with whom to share his creative spirit. May you feel the comfort of many friends and family to help ease the pain and loss.
As only you could, Kat, a most beautiful summary of Hen’s life and accomplishments. Hugs to you.
Oh Kat. That was such a beautiful tribute to Hen. Making me cry my heart out. You are one of the lucky people to have such a love like Hen. One in a million he is. He will always be with you no matter where you are.
Kat you are so blessed to have had such a wonderful relationship for 35 years. So happy for you that you had this, and hope the memories will ease your loss with time.
I met Hen 9 years ago and even though we were polar opposites, we became close friends and always found common ground. I’m a retired contractor and Hen was a musician extraordinaire. Hen was uniquely creative and built and played the most amazing guitars. I was doing home renovation and asked Hen if would give me a hand on a few projects. We had a ball working together, his skills and energy shone thorough. Hen’s humor made short work of a long day. We only lived a few blocks apart and even when I finally retired from construction stuff Hen would come by and spend time with me several days a week and help me on one of my multitude home projects. We have a Siberian Husky who adored Hen and the two of them would carry on having a conversation. It would make you laugh until you cried. Then he told me he had lung issues and had to go in for an operation. That was just before game 7 of the Stanley cup. I called him and we chatted and laughed, so we decided to bet on who would win. I called him between periods to discuss the game play by play. He was in good spirits but after the game in my last phone call Hen said he expected to be home in a few days so he would call me. Well it didn’t work out that way. So with a heavy heart I say so long buddy I will miss you even though I know you are in a better place.
Multilayered, multifaceted, gem of a humble, kind, loyal human being. Our lives are so much richer for Hen having graciously shared his talent, knowledge, skill, experience and amazingly creative problem solving and fun-loving perspective on life with us. From the smallest thing to major parts of our lives, Hen helped us make each part better.
We miss his laugh, his whistle, his rat a tat on the door that signaled who was here. His quick and innovative suggestions and often the expertise to carry them out. We keep thinking, “let’s check that out with Hen,” but that is no longer possible on this side of forever. We do look forward to him greeting us when we join him there.
Akira misses him, and I can’t say his name as she looks to the door for him to come in. She loved not only his treats but his soul connection with her furry brain as they would chat together.
Kat your tribute to Hen is outstanding. I cherish the way you captured our multilayered, multifaceted wonderful, irreplaceable friend – Hen.
We’re just a phone call away.
Love Lois
Kat, you expressed yourself from the heart so beautifully. Thank you. You described Hen exactly the way we saw him. We will miss our dear neighbour, Hen, more than we can say.
Oh Kat. I never met Hen but as a musician myself, I would have loved to have spent time jamming with him and you. I have fond memories of you at our Grad 70 class reunion in 2010. My sincerest condolences to you and the family. Your words express clearly what a wonderful man Hen was. May he rest in peace with his favorite musicians and be part of the biggest rock and roll band in Heaven.
Thank you for sharing him with us, we will miss him and his laugh something fierce. Carolyn – Trevor – Jorden (Island Traders Parksville)
Dear Kat,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I never met Hen but I know you loved him and will miss him terribly. Please accept my condolences.
I am so sorry that you now journey through life with this grief. It will become part of you but does get easier to bear as time passes and good memories continue, as I well know. Speak of him freely and often. As others, I have not met Hen but you have left a lovely tribute to him. My very sincere empathy.
Kat, I did not have the pleasure of meeting Henry but feel I know him after reading your beautiful tribute.
I always enjoyed when Ron and Henry spoke on the phone. The stories and memories were plentiful. I know Ron will miss those conversations.
My condolences to you Kat and all the family.
My deepest condolences Kat. I have been struggling with finding the right things to say. It was fortunate that I was able to speak with Henry before his passing (that is helping). I will miss him. He was a unicorn – one of a kind. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kat, Sorry for your loss, Henry and I along with a bunch of friends used to gather together and Jam blues and improvise tunes together, Henry was very inventive and had a lot of his own original music to present to us as well.
Henry had a great sense of humour and was also a great artist, was always making something in his shop that would make music.
He was a great jamming buddy and I will miss the music and his humour.
Rest in Peace Mate
To Kat, your immediate family and to the Derksens, I was so sorry to hear of Hen’s passing. His gentle spirit, humour love ,of family ,animals, artistic metal work,and music were all gifts he had in life and now in our memories.
Remembering him and sending you much love.
Judi Sommer
That’s Beautiful Kat. I always looked forward to seeing you guys and catching up with Hen on guitars and stuff..I fondly remember our last visit, and only wish we could’ve done it more often. May the Beautiful memories you made together help you through the sadness. My sincere condolences 🙏🏼