Obituary of Albertus Schermer

Albertus “Bert” Schermer passed away peacefully with his family by his side at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice. Born in Bakkum, Noordholland, the Netherlands to Theodorus and Catharina Liefting Schermer. He immigrated to the US in 1948 to become a proud citizen following Holland’s liberation by the Allies. In 1953 he married Harriet Marie Meeter, his beloved and devoted wife of 52 years in Midland Park, New Jersey. Upon arriving in America, Bert worked in the tulip fields, and then found a rewarding profession as a machinist in 1952, which he pursued until retirement. While in New Jersey he and Harriet had two daughters, Beverly, born 1954 and Kathy, born 1958. In 1961, having enough of the snow, he followed dreams of sunshine and oranges to Southern California to work in the burgeoning aerospace industry, where he took part in the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs. He was always proud to point out that his work on the Lunar Lander remains on the Moon to this day and forever. We hope he’ll be able to stop by and inspect it on his way to Heaven. He is preceded in death by Theodorus Schermer (Father), Catharina Liefting Schermer (Mother), Maria Steeman Schermer (Step Mother), Janie Admiraal (Sister), Fie Borst (Sister), Riet Zonneveld (Sister) and Theo Schermer (Brother). He is survived by Vera Grit (Sister), Cornelia Castricum (Sister), Cor Schermer (Brother), Ann Out (Sister), Ineke Sunnotel (Sister), Beverly Welp (daughter, wife of Ber), Kathy Schermer-Gramm (daughter, wife of Mark), Aisha Curina (granddaughter, wife of Jonathan), Tineka Draper (granddaughter, wife of Ian), Caitlin Vives (granddaughter, wife of Danny), Ivy Gramm (granddaughter) and Marijke Currina (great-granddaughter). To all he has been their loving ‘Opa’, caring for them as he did for his siblings in Holland, coming from a large family and he being the eldest boy. He always cared for others more than himself. His greatest love was for family, to which he devoted his life. All of us are blessed beyond measure and will miss him. After retiring, Bert and Harriet followed two of his sisters to North Carolina in the early ‘90s – Anne Out and Cornelia Castricum, who both survive him. Anne’s husband Pete Out has been a very dear and close friend, a true ‘brother’ in law. Bert’s lifelong interests and hobbies include gardening, day trips with family, reading and following Braves baseball. From playing baseball with us to having two left hands, you were the best Opa we could ask for. Lieve Opa, we houden van U. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, July 27, 2012, at Mt. Gur Cemetery in Kernersville, the Reverend Clark Vincent officiating. Friends are invited to an 11:00 o’clock reception at First Presbyterian Church of Kernersville. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to the caring angels at Kate B Reynolds Hospice. Special thanks to Village Care, especially Betsy, speech therapist, Bert’s faithful advocate. Friends and family may sign, and view, the guestbook at www.Pierc-JeffersonFuneralService.com Service Information