Paul van Leeuwaarde

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Aug 31, 2020, 4:30 PM US/Eastern

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Paul van Leeuwaarde

November 19, 1925 - August 24, 2020

We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Paul van Leeuwaarde. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. As we plan virtual and in person gatherings, we will share details here. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.

OBITUARY

Eulogy for Paul Egbertus van Leeuwaarde On Thursday, November 19, 1925, Paul Egbertus van Leeuwaarde was born in a house on Wanicastraat (now Johan Adolf Pengelstraat) in Paramaribo. He was the second child of Marcus Munro van Leeuwaarde and Arnoldina Jacquelina Paulina Braumuller van Leeuwaarde. When he was very young, the family moved to Moengo, where Opa Marcus owned a café and restaurant and traded in fine goods at the Suralco... see moreEulogy for Paul Egbertus van Leeuwaarde On Thursday, November 19, 1925, Paul Egbertus van Leeuwaarde was born in a house on Wanicastraat (now Johan Adolf Pengelstraat) in Paramaribo. He was the second child of Marcus Munro van Leeuwaarde and Arnoldina Jacquelina Paulina Braumuller van Leeuwaarde. When he was very young, the family moved to Moengo, where Opa Marcus owned a café and restaurant and traded in fine goods at the Suralco bauxite mining plant, and when our father and his siblings (Rudy, Humphrey, Lueda and Erwin) were school aged, they were sent to live with his paternal grandmother, Feeltje Christina Samson van Leeuwaarde, along with his aunt, Elizabeth, uncle, Alexander George, and cousin, Georgine. They spent the school year in Paramaribo, attending Hendrikschool (or St. Paulusschool when the school fees sent from his father in Moengo arrived too late), and during the vacation month of October, returned to Moengo (sailing by river and taking a full day) to be with their parents and younger siblings. His fondest memories of his childhood were spending vacations with his parents in Moengo, playing soccer with the other children in the area, fishing, looking for bauxite “eggs,” and playing, playing, playing. In his words, “that was a fantastic time.” In 1938, when he was 13 years old, the family moved back to Paramaribo, where Opa Marcus opened café/restaurants, and later a bakery, producing, as Paul said, “the finest of baked goods.” He graduated from Hendrikschool and was recruited to work as a refinery operator in Curacao, where they produced aviation gas. He worked at the refinery for about a year and then, at the encouragement of his friend, Rudi Kappel (who would later found Surinam Airways), joined him at KLM Airlines. Although he was enamored of aviation since childhood, when he would sneak away from school to go watch the airplanes take off and land, he had no aviation experience. KLM hired him anyway and trained him as an air traffic controller. After skillfully controlling the route of a distressed passenger flight from NY to Curacao and diverting the aircraft from crashing into the mountains of Santo Domingo, he developed a strong reputation in the industry. He returned to Suriname, then moved to Trinidad, where he met and married our mother, Veronica. Robert Munro was born in Trinidad, then they moved to Suriname where Ronald Courtney was born, and lived at Zanderij where Paul continued to work as an air traffic controller. A pilot from Wisconsin received assistance from our father with repairing a plane which had been damaged upon landing in Suriname, and he was so grateful that he encouraged Paul to move to the United States, sponsored him, arranged for his work visa and permit to work in his industry. Having seen a film about the opportunities for children in the United States, our father was happy to take this opportunity and moved to the US. During this time, however, a new law had been passed in the U.S., Public Law 597, which prohibited non-nationals from working as air traffic controllers. In Paul’s words, “that changed the course of my life because I had to go look for any job I could find.” When our family moved to Chicago, this was a time of growing civil rights advocacy. Chicago was a very important stronghold in the fight for civil rights. The US was a very unequal society, where people of color, and black people especially, were systematically discriminated against and abused. This is the environment in which our family migrated to a new land. Despite the difficulties, our parents felt that there were better opportunities for the children in the US than if they had returned to either of their homes. Our parents stayed in the US until 1975/76, when they separated and Patty and Vernie moved to Trinidad, and Paul returned to Suriname. Upon his return to his beloved homeland, he was offered the position of Airport Manager at Zanderij International Airport, where he worked until 1986. During this time, he met and fell in love with Sonja Ten Jet Foei, and they married forty years ago, in 1980. Sonja was by his side, as they built a strong life together, working jointly to develop a farm that they loved, surviving the hard times of military dictatorship and political instability, and living a life of simplicity and happiness. Sonja took excellent care of our father over the years, and we are so grateful for her love and devotion. Following are some individual thoughts from Rob, Ron, and Patty Rob: He loved to fish. My first memories were of fishing with Pop at Zanderij. Fishing then became a lifelong passion for me. I took him camping when he was in his late 70's. We went fishing together again for the last time. He was witty and loved to tell jokes. He had a strong influence on my peculiar sense of humor. He was empathetic towards those struggling for civil rights in the sixties. We were raised in a compassionate home. I remember him, in the turbulent 1960s, watching protesters being beaten and attacked by dogs on television and becoming very angry and emotional. He always treated everyone of every race equally well. He supported and encouraged our musical passions, leading us into a lifelong love of music and performing. I am grateful that my parents regularly took us to visit museums of all kinds - natural history, science and industry, planetariums and aquariums. These helped to form the foundation of our knowledge of the world. Most importantly, however, was the foundation in spirituality that I received from my parents. They taught me at an early age to recognize the presence of God in my life. My father had a remarkable knowledge of scripture, and as I navigated along my own path of discovery, I knew that I could go to him with questions, opinions, concepts, and concerns, and that we could have serious, informative discussions that have ultimately resulted in my strengthening my relationship with God. For these things, I will remain eternally grateful. Ron: Pop was one of the last of the old school gentlemen. He would greet acquaintances and strangers alike with genuine warmth and interest in their lives and touched everyone who knew him. He had an impish, mischievous sense of humor, loved to joke around, and enjoyed a good laugh. He had a strong faith in God, was a Deacon at the Second Presbyterian Church in Chicago, and preached Wednesday night vesper services at the Church. He had righteous anger towards abuse and injustice, was active in politics and helped found a party. He had a keen intellect and was mentally sharp to the end. He would focus and exhibit a deep understanding of issues of interest to him to the astonishment of experts in those fields. He could have been anything he wanted be. He worked in the petroleum industry and then as an air traffic controller. Circumstances in life conspired to dash his hopes of continuing his career in aviation in the USA; however, he maintained his interest, took flying lessons and was able to re- enter the field as airport manager upon his return to Suriname some 20 years later. Despite his career disappointment he remained optimistic, and persevered through jobs in retail sales so that his children would have better opportunities for their futures in the USA. Though we unfortunately grew up away from most of the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, we indeed benefited greatly in other ways from that decision to remain and are thankful for our parents’ sacrifices. He influenced the course of my life in unintentional ways: I would see him try to play tennis using the wall of the building we lived in as a backboard though he had no one to play with. I eventually ended up on the tennis team in high school. There was a closet in the house where Pop kept some tools that I was fascinated with. I went on to become a building contractor. He vicariously enjoyed my collection of work vehicles, tools and equipment. He bought an electric guitar and attempted to learn the instrument from a television program. He had dreams in his young life of becoming a professional singer which his father would not support. I went on to become accomplished on the guitar, playing and singing in bands. He was fortunate to have two wonderful wives in his life, my mother Veronica, and step mom Sonja. Patty: Pop could weave a good story. I remember sitting around the dinner table in at our home in Park Forest, especially on days when Mom cooked special food, like fried bakes and saltfish or roti and curried chicken, and the family would reminisce about the days of living in Trinidad and Suriname. I was only two years old when we moved from Chicago back to Suriname and then to Trinidad, so I had very few memories of those days. I loved to listen to the family talk about the delicious fruits that they missed eating, and Opa’s bakery, and fishing in the jungle rivers of Suriname. Pop would tell us stories of the supernatural, like the time that he and his friends sneaked into the house of a man who was suspected of dealing in the dark arts, and witnessing objects flying through the air (even though no one was there) as if to chase he and his friends out of the house. He also told us a story about when he was a little boy and became very sick and no doctor’s medicine could heal him. Every day, at the same time, there was a knock at the door and when Oma would answer the door, there was only a cat at the door. On the third day, there was a man in a white suit who said he had come for the boy, and my father’s illness intensified, until they had healers pray over him to break the spell. Both Mom and Pop had stories to tell of visits from the other side. I also loved to hear stories of encounters with the wild animals in the jungle, and the story of their pet spider monkey who fit in the pocket of my mother’s duster, and slept on the back of their pet dog. These moments of storytelling influenced me, as did our regular visits to the spectacular museums in Chicago, and I became an anthropologist, collecting the stories of the culture and life of everyday people. Although I was young when my parents separated and Pop returned to Suriname, and I don’t have the scope of memories that my brothers have of childhood with our father, over the years I came to appreciate my father’s sacrifices to move the family to Chicago, and the importance of being back in his beloved Suriname. I came to know Pop as an incredibly intelligent man and an advocate for social justice—whether that be through his efforts with his political party Nationale Unie, or through his tireless fight with the Braumuller family to hold Suralco accountable for the illegal theft of Braumuller family resources. I also was awed by his strength and fortitude, recovering from serious injuries, and engaging in hard physical labor, along with Sonja, on their farm. To the end, he challenged himself, physically and mentally, and was an inspiration to those who knew him well. Rest in Peace, dear father.

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Patricia van Leeuwaarde Moonsammy:

September 4, 2020 · via mobile

I am posting this at the request of Hanna Braumuller:

I am Hanna, a cousin of Paul.
As I remember, my father, Henny Braumuller, spoke often about Paul. My father told me when I was a little gril, that Paul was an air traffic controller who ... more
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Lomayo van Leeuwaarde:

September 2, 2020 · via mobile

Nice to see the pictures of our uncle Paul. Thank you so much Patty!
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Patricia van Leeuwaarde Moonsammy:

September 1, 2020 · via mobile
Lorin Telgt:

August 31, 2020 · via iPhone

A thought of comfort and condolences to Tante Sonja, Patty, Ron, Rob and family. I am honored and blessed to have known Oom Paul. Remembering his wonderful and gentle soul will forever remain in our hearts.
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Danny Mertens:

August 31, 2020 · via iPhone

Gecondoleerd voor de gehele familie en veel sterkte gewenst in dit verlies!

Oom paul, dank voor uw charismatische indruk die ik heb mogen genieten tijdens mijn bezoek aan u! Goede reis!

Danny Mertens, Matthew Mertens en Sherida van leeuwaarde
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Simone van Leeuwaarde:

August 31, 2020 · via iPhone

Lieve Oom Paul, bedankt voor de warme en liefdevolle herinneringen die ik heb mogen overhouden vandaag. Het huis in Commewijne waar u ons altijd samen met tante Sonja met een glimlach ontving.

Het huis is mij altijd bijgebleven door alle fruitbomen en... more
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Cheryll van Leeuwaarde:

August 31, 2020 · via iPhone

Namens ons moeder, Gita:

Lieve oom Paul
Dit verlies is erg groot. Maar ik neem de mooie herinneringen mee die wij samen deelden 🙏
Vaarwel en rust zacht , een groet 🌹

Gita
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Yvonne Telgt-McKinney:

August 31, 2020 · via iPhone

I remember when the van Leeuwaarde brothers would come to our home and gathered around the organ and started to sing in perfect harmony. Then the van Leeuwaarde discussions about what perfect Dutch was, or politics would start. I vividly remember Oom... more
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Cheryll van Leeuwaarde:

August 31, 2020 · via iPhone

Oom Paul zoals we hem gekend hebben. Broer van onze opa, Humphrey. Altijd als we naar commewijne gingen, had hij vooral lekkere drinken klaar. En het eten niet te vergeten. Hij was altijd lief voor de kleinkinderen van zijn broer. Hij hield van knuffels... more

Oom Paul zoals we hem gekend hebben. Broer van onze opa, Humphrey. Altijd als we naar commewijne gingen, had hij vooral lekkere drinken klaar. En het eten niet te vergeten. Hij was altijd lief voor de kleinkinderen van zijn broer. Hij hield van knuffels... more
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Sherida van Leeuwaarde:

August 31, 2020 · via iPhone

Oom Paul, Ik zal je missen je was een lieve en bijzondere intelligente Man je gaf ons altijd het gevoel dat wij mooi, slim en geliefd waren je was altijd trots en blij om ons te zien en luisterde altijd attentie vol naar ons.
Kan me Commewijne herinneren... more
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Yvonne Telgt-McKinney:

August 31, 2020 · via iPhone
Emerald B-Natural Kirk:

August 31, 2020

I must express condolences to my van Leeuwaarde family especially to the children and grandchildren of Oom Paul. I lived 10 years with my grandmother in Uitkijk and realized how much Oom Paul loved his sister and her children. He is a great-uncle I... more
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Raoel van Leeuwaarde:

August 31, 2020 · via mobile

Oom Paul zal ik altijd herinneren als die lieve, intelligente en statige man waar ik altijd naar opgekeken heb. Dank voor alle fijne momenten die wij mochten delen. We will meet again. Rust zacht oom.
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Lorano van Leeuwaarde:

August 31, 2020 · via iPhone

I got to know uncle Paul by way of old photos I first saw as a 8 years old boy while I, at that time, was living in Holland as he was living in the US. I’m talking about the mid sixties. Looking from time to time at those pictures I was struck by the... more
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Anita Telgt Kirk:

August 30, 2020

Oom Paul was for me an uncle who loved all nieces and nephews because we are the children of his siblings he loved with a passion. I have always seen him as an honest, intelligent , innovative, creative and wise man. His passing hurts.....It huts very... more
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Matt Murphy:

August 30, 2020

I remember his amazing intellect and knowledge. He was always a great person to have a conversation with and always present at family events, especially when we were growing up in the Chi. May his soul rest in peace!
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Sho Time:

August 30, 2020 · via iPhone

Lieve en wijze oom Paul,
De laatste keer dat ik in Suriname was heeft Wayne mij bij u thuis gebracht. Met volle aandacht luisterde ik naar uw prachtige verhalen over onze mooie familie en uw strijd tegen onrecht. U wist alles van ons gestolen en... more
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Lysiane Dijkhoff-Samy:

August 30, 2020 · via iPhone

My mother, Johanna spoke always about her family, her parents, aunts, uncle and cousins. In dec of 2010 after the passing of her husband Paul Samy I took my mom to Surinam. After many years she had meet het cousin Paul van Leeuwaarde, again. They where... more
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Lomayo van Leeuwaarde:

August 30, 2020

I cherish precious memories of uncle Paul. We had regular contact in the period I lived in Surinam and he was working at Zanderij. After work he often wear shorts, under which his white legs were shown. They never saw the sun and Sonja and I always had... more
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Sandra Van Der Meijden - Van Leeuwaarde:

August 30, 2020 · via mobile

When I was a little girl, it seemed like happiness would always last forever, together, surrounded by all my loved ones in Paramaribo. As time passes, I know that I have to exchange some of that happiness for great sadness over and over again. The... more
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Roy van Leeuwaarde:

August 28, 2020 · via mobile

As a small boy I did not really know my uncle Paul. After I became a senior I also did not have many contact with uncle Paul.
But those few contacts we had were special to me. I will always remember him.
R. I. P. my beloved Uncle!
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Sandra Van Der Meijden - Van Leeuwaarde:

August 28, 2020 · via mobile
Sandra Van Der Meijden - Van Leeuwaarde:

August 28, 2020 · via mobile

Ik wist dat ook u een keer zou gaan, maar toch doet 't pijn om weer een stuk van mezelf kwijt te zijn. Rust zacht lieve oom Paul.
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