Henk de Man – who for many years had been a leading figure in the Dutch and European surface engineering industries – died on 20 April in Amsterdam at the age of 52. He had fought cancer with immense courage and fortitude for over three years but sadly lost the battle.
Henk’s contribution to his beloved coatings industry was phenomenal. He had built up his company, Brandsma Metaalveredeling BV, into a highly respected organisation in the Dutch coatings industry. The company covered almost the whole range of plated coatings including nickel, chromium, tin, silver and gold, with particular expertise in electroless nickel. In addition, he served on many committees dealing with the industry response to ever increasing legislative demands. He served as President of the Dutch plating industry association VOM and became one of the stalwart supporters of the CETS organisation, for which he was Chair of the Nickel Working Group for three years.
He was a man of tremendous energy and commitment to his chosen career who continued to contribute right up until the stage when his declining health prevented him from doing so.
Henk was born in the small village of Dirksland, just south west of Rotterdam in the delta region of Holland, and grew up there with his family of three brothers. He studied metallurgy at the Christiaan Huygens School in Rotterdam before becoming involved in the surface coatings industry.
Henk’s professional career is quite remarkable in itself. However, almost certainly the memory of Henk that will remain foremost with all those of us who knew him was his delightful personality. Successful people are often portrayed as ruthless, unfeeling, grasping and untrustworthy. Henk was the exact opposite of this. He was the epitome of the ‘gentle giant’. At just over 2 metres tall his frame dominated every photograph that included him but his manner was that of a total gentleman. He endeared himself to his colleagues with his charm and good humour, his relaxed manner and his inherent kindness.
Those of us who knew Henk professionally can never miss him to the extent that his widow Erma or his children, Benita and Nick will do. However, we do miss him deeply and will continue to do so as a person whom we were privileged to meet during our own lives.
May his sweet, caring soul rest in peace.