Peter Veldhuisen Obituary

"Pieter 'Pete' Veldhuisen was born on a dairy near Amsterdam, Netherlands on August 18, 1946 and emigrated to the northwestern US with his family two years later. Pete grew up in the towns of Trout Lake (Wash. ), Tillamook and Woodburn, Oregon. Although the 'baby' of the family, Pete thrived and outgrew his siblings and parents to exceed 6 feet. At Woodburn High, he was a star athlete (football and track) and officer in the Future Farmers of America. Pete served in the National Guard and returned to study history and politics at Portland State University. He then settled in Portland and became a skilled pipefitter and lifelong advocate for organized labor. After retirement he devoted his renewed energy to golf, cycling and family. A lifelong bachelor, Pete was a steadfast supporter of his siblings, nieces, nephews and many others. He was a world class devotee of the Rolling Stones as well! Pete is survived by his sister Barbara Babbitt and nine nieces and nephews and their families. He will be fondly remembered as a humble, thoughtful, empathetic and inspiring man and will be dearly missed by a great many. For those making a donation in Pete's name, his favorite charities were Oregon Public Broadcasting and St Joseph's Indian School (PO Box 326, Chamberlain, South Dakota 57326). "