Goodbye Hans Monker
This morning the Rainbow Warrior sailed out of Auckland and I thought of Hans Monker who I met on the ship last time it was here.
You would never pick out Hans in a bar as a hero. He just didn’t have the look. But he went places most people wouldn’t dare go, to do work beyond most of us - for Greenpeace, Médecins Sans Frontières and other groups.
He was born in the Netherlands, travelled most of the world (from the Amazon to Antarctica) and died in Vietnam - where he lived with his wife.
Recently, Hans checked into the hospital with pneumonia. He responded well to treatment, and checked out several days later - eager to get back to work on a Greenpeace project. Today, he collapsed and passed away at a hotel breakfast table.
Read more on the Greenpeace International weblog
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In my days with Greenpeace, early ninethies, I sailed with Hans on Sirius. Such a friendly and funny guy! His lost shocked me and made me realizing how important it is to spent your days usefull. People from GP: go on with your good job. Although I’m not in GP anymore I support u the rest of my life!
Hans, hopefully you’re in a better world now…
Kees Wiersum
dag hans het was in 1977 dat ik jou kende als havo student en radio amateur je bent dus tot het eind de wereld verbeteraar gebleven die ik toen kende
My favorite song from Hans.
Like a bride over troubeled water.
http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=FI6LSPzOOhU&feature=related
Thanks for friendship, all journeys
in deep mourning love and gratefulness. R.I.P.