Wim Schaap, born Nov. 4, 1936, to Teunis and Katchen Schaap in Katwijk aan Zee, The Netherlands, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007.
Wim's childhood years in war-torn Holland were rife with struggles. In his early teenage years, he sailed the rugged North Seas aboard a fishing vessel. He eventually left The Netherlands with his brother, Rudolf "Rudy" Schaap, in the early 1950s to join his father and stepmother in California. Upon obtaining citizenship, he enlisted in the Navy and served aboard the Naval gearing-class destroyer USS Shelton, in the Korean conflict. Following his military service, he studied accounting at San Jose Sate University. He then worked in various accounting positions in the Bay Area before joining the Oak Hill Corporation of San Jose, Calif., in 1978. He worked at Oak Hill as a controller for many years until his retirement as vice president in 1986. Wim remained in San Jose for a few years before joining his longtime friend, Jane, and her young son, Matt, in Ketchum. Wim was a regular at The Galleria's Friday Night Jazz. He was an avid reader and enjoyed hiking the area's many trails. He could often be found hanging out at the Galleria Café and other local coffee shops or at Chapter One Bookstore. Wim will surely be remembered for his wit, humor and his love of people.
He is survived by his longtime companion, Jane Hocking; her son Matt Janssen, and his wife, Jessica, of Cheyenne, Wyo.; stepmother Edith Schaap, of San Jose, Calif.; and his nieces and nephews. In addition to many close friends from the community, Wim also leaves behind a beloved feline friend, Emmy, who rarely left his side through his illness.
Those wishing to celebrate Wim's life may attend a special "Friday Night Jazz" event with music by Alan Pennay and friends on Friday, Nov. 9, at The Galleria from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The family has requested no flowers or donations.
