I met Hans on my first day at what was then European Geographic Technologies, as he was given the task of training the original UK Field Team in what was still a mysterious new world of digital maps for navigation. We then worked closely together as I led the field collection and he the production of the company's first London map, with the challenges of left-hand driving, clockwise roundabouts and navigating West of the prime meridian - a place that the earliest Phillips navigation systems did not know existed.
I learned a lot from him and with him, and I am not at all surprised that 30 years later we both continued to be in this wonderful world of maps, cars and computers. His death is a terrible shock. I send my condolences to Marja and the family.
Graham

Hans was een bijzonder mens, iemand die zich onderscheidde... wat je noemt een karakter.... Iemand met liefde voor t vak, voor t leven en voor avontuur maar ook zeker voor zijn medemens. Altijd behulpzaam, altijd in voor een praatje, altijd in voor gezelligheid. Hans zal blijven voortleven in de vele mooie herinneringen die velen van ons aan hem hebben, maar de wereld zal nooit meer helemaal hetzelfde zijn. Ik wens Marja, kinderen en alle naasten heel veel liefde en kracht om dit grote verlies te kunnen dragen ❤️

Hans and I were colleagues for many years at HERE and shared responsibilities, challenges and lots of fun on many business trips. I will always remember him as the positive and friendly person in the room, even when things proposed to be the opposite. I feel with his family and friends.

I don't think I am the only one who left more knowledgeable after talking to Hans. Many, many, years ago he taught me all I know on the subject on RDS/TMC. I was very impressed with his knowledge and involvement and without it I would have never been able to talk about it so knowledgeable on various occasions - he was even responsible for me being able to stop somebody from Rijkswaterstaat making the biggest (rds-tmc) mistake of his life. My regret is that I never thanked him.
I wish his family strength in these dark days.
JP van de Ven

"Goedemorgen zonder zorgen!" was inderdaad een gevleugende uitdrukking van Hans. Die optimistische houding ken ik van Hans over de afgelopen decennia. De reizen samen in Japan, met 8 klanten in een week, staan me nog goed bij, en Sabel-san was een goed klinkend overblijfsel hiervan. Hij is een cartograaf in hart en nieren met echte liefde voor het vak. Het is onbegrijpelijk dat Hans er niet meer is - vorige week nog gezamenlijke lunch op kantoor met de gebruikelijke gesprekken.
Je zult gemist worden.
Heel veel sterkte voor de familie.
Bart Tielens

Hans was one of the first EGT people I worked with in person, nearly 30 years ago. Our software team in Chicago was assembling workstation software for the "new" map database (what would be "DNDC 96"), and Hans came to Chicago for a demonstration and feedback. He was also my primary contact the first time I visited the Best office, to start training people on that tool's use. And we collaborated as recently as this year, assembling training materials for his organization. Throughout it all, Hans demonstrated knowledge, wisdom and good judgment... but also always a friend, with a gentle touch and good humor. My condolences to his family at this difficult time. He will be dearly missed.

I have known Hans now for the past 14 years and sat not far from his desk in the Chicago office for a few years. He always enjoyed (insisted in fact) to speak to me in Afrikaans whenever we got together and there was never a lack of good banter with Hans. He is a legend and will be sorely missed!

Dirk Nel