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Debbie Van Tricht-Marshall posted a condolence
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
My apologies for just seeing this sad news now. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
My parents, Guy and Margaret Van Tricht became fast friends with Martin and Irene when they arrived from The Netherlands in the 1950's and my father started working at GE in Peterborough.
My memories of Martin and Irene are of kind people who always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. When my family was going through a difficult time, Marin and Irene were the first ones to reach out and help any way that they could.
As time passed and distance separated them all, their friendship remained. Around 2006, they drove from Peterborough to Guelph to see my mother whose health was not the best and they took her out for dinner. She said it was like no time had passed at all.
Such kind people with such good hearts. I will remember both of them with such fondness.
The world was a better place with them having been here.
Sincerely,
Debbie Van Tricht-Marshall
K
Keith Patching posted a condolence
Monday, April 19, 2021
THE ENGINEER IN THE NEVERLANDS
(A memory of Martin Van Duyn)
I once met an engineer
His hair was white and flowing
His eyes were keen and glowing
He stood before the looming dyke
His wrinkled brow lost in thought
As his finger plugged the leak
He turned to me and smiled
And then began to speak
He spoke of spinning machinery and vibrations and electrical currents
He spoke of incidents and intricacies and detailed mechanicals
I turned to leave
But he pressed on
He spoke of his life and the things that he’d seen
He spoke of the war and the wind in the sails
I turned to leave once more
And yet again he continued
He spoke of his hopes and his dreams and everything he’d seen
He spoke of science and magic and how the world might have been
At last I managed to break away
For I thought I had places to go and things to do
And as I walked away, I thought I heard him call
But when I turned around towards the setting sun
The old engineer had gone
And the dyke had been quietly repaired
And I wished then that I could have heard his stories
One more time in the growing darkness
As a sad wind fled through a field of fading tulips
By Keith Patching, a colleague and friend of Martin since 1989
M
Martin posted a condolence
Sunday, April 4, 2021
Josee & Family
This is Our Story:
In the mid 1990's Sharon had a an elementary student (about 10 years of age) in her Enrichment Class who was identified as "gifted". She was particularly interested in the Sciences.
The Principal asked Sharon if she knew anyone who could talk to her and encourage her in her pursuit.
Martin agreed to meet with her and we arranged through the GE Human Resources Group for her to meet with Martin and later have a tour through the GE site.
Martin prepared a computer presentation involving 3-Dimensional Modelling and Finite Element Analysis. Martin had the special ability of taking complex problems and reducing them to simple step-by-step scientific/engineering solutions. Simply put, with 3-D Modelling a novice does not need to know about Technical Drawing (Drafting) and with Finite Element Analysis a novice does not have to use Equations to solve Material problems.
Martin and "Kate" spent 3 hours together.
From time-to-time Sharon and I would walk by and have a quick glance.
At first glance we saw 65+ age engineer with young 10 year old student. Shortly the glances seemed to reveal two youngsters really engaged and fully comprehending the subject.
Kate had no problem understanding Martin's presentation. Both were impressed with each other in their own special way.
Kate went on to High School then University and became a High School teacher, possibly in the Sciences.
I know that the above story will have a special significance for you as it is, and also for the following:.
Martin told me of another young lady, that returned to school (University) in the Science Discipline (Biology), who he coached until she could continue on her own.
As you know, she achieved a Masters of Science Degree in Biology from Trent University.
Your Dad was not only a gifted engineer, he was a gentleman and a gentle man.
Wishing you and your family all the best in the future.
Sharon & Wayne
PS: Martin graduated from Delft University of Technology with a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1953, and later with a Masters of Engineering Degree from the
University of Toronto in 1983.
M
Martin posted a condolence
Sunday, April 4, 2021
Martin was a unique individual - highly intelligent, perhaps a genius, but at the same time, very humble.
I first met Martin shortly after joining CGE in 1978. CGE had just started to supply electric equipment to Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) for their brand new LRC (Light Rapid Comfortable) high speed passenger locomotives for VIA Rail. A new alternator set, supplied by CGE and bolted directly onto the diesel engine, was vibrating quite badly at certain engine speeds. Martin came up with a very clever means with which to determine the stiffness of the alternator mounting feet. By bolting two alternator frames together back-to-back with spacers that emulated the engine mounting blocks, then applying force between the frames using hydraulic jacks and load measuring cells, he was able to determine that the alternator feet needed to have stiffeners added, and that the diesel engine mounting blocks needed to be changed from cast iron to steel. I, along with Bill Thompson, learned a lot from Martin by conducting these tests. Both modifications were done, the vibrations dropped dramatically and the customer was very pleased with the results. MLW went on to supply at least 30 LRC locomotives to VIA.
I recall receiving a plea for help from Dofasco one Sunday afternoon in the mid-1980's. A huge DC motor shaft, approximately 36 inches in diameter, had snapped in two. This initiated an intense investigation into why it happened. We chased down all of the more obvious potential problems: flaws in the shaft steel, excessive operating torques, inadequate shaft design for the loads, etc. All were found to be more than adequate for the intended service. Martin, who had already been developing his Torsional Vibration Analysis (TVA) program came to the rescue. By calculating what the vibratory stresses would have to have been to cause the shaft to fail, he developed a set of operating parameters, including slab speed, slab thickness, motor load, gearbox and drivetrain arrangement, etc. that could have lead to a fatigue failure. We had a meeting with the customer and Martin asked if they had ever operated with that set of conditions. The answer was "yes"! So they stopped operating at that set of conditions and the failure never reoccurred. Amazing.
Also at Dofasco, one of the twin 8000 hp DC rougher motors - huge machines that provide power to do the first reduction of the steel from the cast ingot - suffered a rotor winding failure. The repair time was extensive, costing Dofasco substantial downtime. The failure was determined to be from a portion of the motor rotor being too hot. Martin led the development of a large wooden model of the motor that was tested in the laboratory for airflow distribution. From these tests, Martin was able to substantiate his airflow and thermal calculations for these motors. He even built a model at home using a pipe, tubes and a garden hose to demonstrate that if you blow air (or in his case, water) in one end of a long motor, one end of the motor will get lots of fluid flow and the other will get very little - and therefore run hot. He and Peter Truman developed a means to change the airflow in these machines so that both ends of the motor would receive cooling air rather than only one end. Lab tests on the wooden model confirmed Martin's predictions. The modification was made at Dofasco, and the results were extremely satisfactory.
Martin had a unique way of answering questions. No answer came directly! It seemed that his thought process would at first dig back into his long experience list to find a relevant starting point, then proceed to develop an answer from that point forward. I and others that were patient with Martin's process always learned something having had the conversation with him. But it did take some time!
Often, we would pose questions of Martin later in the day, trusting that he would have to leave to go home for dinner with Irene. But that didn't always prompt a quicker answer. Just a colder supper!
When I was a younger engineer and we had only one vehicle, my wife Judy would sometimes pick me up after work, with our 3 young sons in the car with her. Often, I was late leaving the building. She knew that if I exited the building still talking with Martin, we would have a further delay in getting home to our dinner as well.
Judy and I thoroughly enjoyed our social get-togethers with Martin and Irene, including the wonderful Dutch treats from Maggie's.
We loved Martin. Incredibly smart, dedicated, super organized, friendly. A true gentleman. We will miss him.
Dave Messervey
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Hugh Fife posted a condolence
Thursday, April 1, 2021
I started at GE around the same time Martin retired and started working on contract. It didn’t take long to realize that Martin had a wealth of information and he delighted in sharing it. He was clearly trying to make us better, not just as engineers but as people too. It often took an afternoon to get an answer to a question, but that was okay. He was always able to save days of work and we had a chance to hear some great stories that were laden with pearls of wisdom. Here is a very small collection of some pearls that show his humour and heart.
Martin advised that you should always have a job that your love so that you can get paid for having fun! He had a smile on his face as he cautioned to make sure that your managers don’t know that you’re having fun. He then went on to tell of a time when he had asked for a raise but his manager said, “Why? You love what you’re doing!” Martin laughed. Of course he made a good case and received his raise.
Martin also shared that he and Irene had planned to have a large family. After learning that this dream was not to be, Martin was very concerned about Irene. He decided that they were to take a break and go for a holiday. He said that they stayed until the money ran out and then he had to get a job again. I admired how he was able to expend all his material goods for the sake of family.
Martin’s comments to me started to change when we started having children. If he saw that I would be working late, he would enquire to make sure I wasn’t doing this too much and that I was taking time for family. There was only one story that Martin ever told me in which there was some regret. When Josee was grown, Martin realized that he hadn’t spent as much time at home when she was young as he wished he had. One day when Martin and I were talking he said, “I’m sorry, but I really must be going.” I was shocked. That was usually my line! He went on to say that he and Irene were going to be looking after their grandchildren and he wanted to make sure he didn’t miss out on them while they were young.
Martin was without a doubt a genuine genius and it was a blessing to get to work with him. He was humble and a man of the highest integrity. We are all better people for having known Martin. God bless his soul and his family.
W
Wayne Hetherington posted a condolence
Thursday, April 1, 2021
From: Wayne Hetherington (former GE colleague, since 1975) & Sharon Slaughter; Friends of Martin 26 March 2021 Peterborough, Ontario
Josee & Family
This is Our Story:
In the mid 1990's Sharon had a an elementary student (about 10 years of age) in her Enrichment Class who was identified as "gifted". She was particularly interested in the Sciences.
The Principal asked Sharon if she knew anyone who could talk to her and encourage her in her pursuit.
Martin agreed to meet with her and we arranged through the GE Human Resources Group for her to meet with Martin and later have a tour through the GE site.
Martin prepared a computer presentation involving 3-Dimensional Modelling and Finite Element Analysis. Martin had the special ability of taking complex problems and reducing them to simple step-by-step scientific/engineering solutions. Simply put, with 3-D Modelling a novice does not need to know about Technical Drawing (Drafting) and with Finite Element Analysis a novice does not have to use Equations to solve Material problems.
Martin and "Kate" spent 3 hours together.
From time-to-time Sharon and I would walk by and have a quick glance.
At first glance we saw 65+ age engineer with young 10 year old student. Shortly the glances seemed to reveal two youngsters really engaged and fully comprehending the subject.
Kate had no problem understanding Martin's presentation. Both were impressed with each other in their own special way.
Kate went on to High School then University and became a High School teacher, possibly in the Sciences.
I know that the above story will have a special significance for you as it is, and also for the following:.
Martin told me of another young lady, that returned to school (University) in the Science Discipline (Biology), who he coached until she could continue on her own.
As you know, she achieved a Masters of Science Degree in Biology from Trent University.
Your Dad was not only a gifted engineer, he was a gentleman and a gentle man.
Wishing you and your family all the best in the future.
Sharon & Wayne
PS: Martin graduated from Delft University of Technology with a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1953, and later with a Masters of Engineering Degree from the
University of Toronto in 1983.
M
Maggie Don posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Peterborough, March 26, 2021
Memories of Mr. Martin van Duyn,
My name is Maggie Don. I work in a Dutch store on Lansdowne Street in Peterborough.
When I started there in August of 1989, Mr. and Mrs. van Duyn became customers. Mrs. van Duyn came every Thursday to shop and later, when Mr. van Duyn retired, they came together. I always offered coffee with a cookie and we always had a nice talk. Lots of times I listened to Mr. van Duyn because he had no trouble talking
My late husband Frans Don really liked Mr. van Duyn and also had conversations with him. We would invite them over on my husband’s birthday and had wonderful evenings.
Sometimes Frans made a delicious Dutch meal for them they really liked it. We have never met such a nice person in our lives as Mr. van Duyn. He really was a gentleman. When his wife passed away in 2018, he really missed her. When he cook no longer cook for himself, I visited him on Sunday afternoons, we ate together and I listened to him. He spoke about his life, how he came to Canada, the USA and Switzerland and how he worked for General Electric. I remember one Sunday afternoon in the summer, we sat outside at his home and he talked from 2 ‘o clock in the afternoon until 8 ‘o clock in the evening- almost without stopping. I said to him, Mr. van Duyn, now I have to go home, I visited for 6 hours. “Oh”, he said. In his perception it may have been just an hour or two.
We spent many Sunday afternoons together, either in or outside and it was always pleasant.
Later on, I visited him in Peterborough Manor until December 2020. With Covid, things became more difficult.
I have beautiful memories of Mr. van Duyn. He was such a down to earth man with such knowledge. We were both born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He also liked to talk a lot about the Netherlands and the war.
I wanted to share this story with those who knew him.
Thank-you,
Maggie Don
W
Wayne Hetherington and Sharon Slaughter planted a tree in memory of Martin Van Duyn
Friday, March 26, 2021
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With heartfelt condolences, and wonderful memories of Martyn.
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D
David Messervey posted a condolence
Friday, March 26, 2021
Dear Josee and family,
I had the pleasure of working with Martin for many years at GE Peterborough. He was a very humble man and yet had one of the most brilliant minds of anyone I have ever known. His analytical solutions to the most complex problems were indeed remarkable. He loved his family, his sailing, tennis and analytical work, and loved to talk about them! He was a most remarkable man, and will be truly missed.
D
David Messervey donated to ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF PETERBOROUGH, KAWARTHA LAKES, NORTHUMBERLAND AND HALIBURTON
Friday, March 26, 2021
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Jeff Fenwick posted a condolence
Thursday, March 25, 2021
It has been some decades since I last saw Martin when I worked at CGE. But, I will always remember how he would stop in the hall to talk to me at length, sometimes for 20 or 30 minutes, about the projects he was working on or the early days of computer analysis. How lucky I was as a junior Engineer to get such attention and benefit from his enthusiasm and knowledge so freely given. My condolences to Martin's family and friends.
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Lindsey Shearer lit a candle
Thursday, March 25, 2021
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Josee, Michael, and Alexandra,
Words cannot truly express the sorrow that I feel over the loss of Martin. A true gentleman, and a very kind man. He will forever be missed. Both of your parents (grandparents) will always hold a very dear, and special place in my heart. The only light during this sad time is knowing that he is again with the love of his life, and will forever be by her side. I'm very lucky to have know both Irene and Martin, and will always remember and cherish our friendship. Thank you for sharing them with me. I couldn't have asked for better neighbours.
Love Lindsey
B
Betty Crawford uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, March 25, 2021
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To Martin's Family,
Sincere condolences are being sent your way. Martin was very much part of our Thursday morning tennis group in his later years along with Irene who came along to cheer him on and to have visits. It was always so nice to see him show up in his tennis whites. He and Irene would then join us for coffee afterwards when they were able to. We learned so much from the incredible stories he told. He never wanted us to leave as he always had just one more story to tell. The Martin we knew strived for perfection and recognized a job/play well done. His smile was infectious. As you continue your journey in life without Martin, please know that he has left a lasting impression on his friends as well. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Betty Crawford
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Frans Tollenaar lit a candle
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
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Dear Josee,
In addition to the memory of Ivonne I like to mention the boat trip in my little sailing-yacht which I made with your father on the IJsselmeer around the year 1980 when you parents visited my parents in The Netherlands . I recall his enormous interest in the first modern windmills which were built there along the coast as one of the first new wind mill projects. I also harbour the many long technical talks we had over the telephone even until a couple of years back. He was always so much interested in my work as Non Destructive Testing engineer and it was a joy and also fun to have him on the phone when you mother jumped in saying that he had been talking long enough, usually after nearly an hour.
Trust we have great memories and wish you lots of strength. Realize though how much luck you had to have your parent with you so long in good health until very high age.
Your cousin Frans.
T
Tribute Store
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
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Simplicity was purchased for the family of Martin Van Duyn.
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Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss... Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
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Els posted a symbolic gesture
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
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Lieve Josee,
Lieve meid, of je nu 10, 40, of 60 jaar oud bent, je ouders wil je nooit verliezen. Zij hielden al onvoorwaardelijk van je voor je was geboren.
Al deze liefde die jij hebt mogen ontvangen van hen mag je koesteren en weer doorgeven.
Als ik aan je vader denk dan schieten mij die eindeloze telefoongesprekken met mama te binnen. Ze konden zomaar met gemak 1,5 uur met elkaar praten door de telefoon. Wat heerlijk toch als je zo'n broer hebt, en elkaar zo blijft boeien, ondanks hun hoge leeftijd en de afstand. Ook Ome Jan Staal had speciaal zijn telefoonabonnement aangepast om betaalbaar met je vader te kunnen bellen. Hij heeft die gesprekken in de laatste periode erg gemist.
Jouw vader, samen met tante Irene, wat een lieve, bescheiden mensen, met humor en belangstelling.
Nu zal je vooral de pijn en het verdriet voelen, maar gelukkig zijn de mooie herinneringen sterker. Die zullen altijd bij je blijven.
Lieve Josee, een dikke knuffel van mij,
Els
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Letty Westendorp-Tollenaar lit a candle
Monday, March 22, 2021
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Lieve Josee
Wat een verdrietige en moeilijke tijd voor je. Gecondoleerd meid! Geen ouders meer hebben voelt zo leeg, ook al ben je zelf al zolang volwassen. Nu ben je echt geen kind meer. Dat voel je.
De zorg om en voor je vader zal je veel energie gekost hebben en die zorg heb je nu niet meer. Waar hij nu is, is rust. Ik hoop dat jij ook weer wat rust krijgt.
Het is echt heel lang geleden dat ik je vader, oom Martin, ontmoet heb, maar ik heb veel goede herinneringen aan hem.
Het grappige is dat onze broer Frans echt wel wat van zijn Van Duijn-genen heeft. Zijn manier van praten, en de humor, zijn passie voor elke klus die hij aanneemt. Misschien voor jou wel leuk om te weten.
Lieve Josée, ik heb een rode kaars uitgekozen om te branden bij je vader. Rood, is voor mij de kleur van liefde en warmte. Dat wens ik jou en je kinderen en kleinkinderen.
Samen met mijn man Han, ga ik bij Loes de afscheidsceremonie bijwonen via internet. Fijn dat we er op die manier bij kunnen zijn.
Alle liefs en sterkte
Letty en natuurlijk ook van Han
F
Frans en Ivonne Tollenaar uploaded photo(s)
Monday, March 22, 2021
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Lieve Josee,
In 2007 (goh wat lang geleden alweer) hebben jouw ouders mij als aangetrouwd nichtje met open armen ontvangen en een paar dagen te logeren gehad. Wat heb ik genoten van die dagen. Zoveel gehoord en gezien, ze hebben me overal mee naar toe genomen en laten zien wat voor hen belangrijk was. De humor van beiden was verkwikkend en ik heb ze toen in mijn hart gesloten en ook de verhalen over vroeger.
Jouw verdriet kunnen we ons heel goed invoelen en we leven ontzettend met je mee. Vrijdag gaan we de dienst volgen en we wensen je heel veel sterkte en liefde. Dikke knuffel
Ivonnen Frans
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Frans en Ivonne Tollenaar lit a candle
Monday, March 22, 2021
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Hanneke Brugmans-Tollenaar lit a candle
Monday, March 22, 2021
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Lieve Josée
Gecondoleerd met het verlies van jouw lieve vader. Hij had er moeite mee jou los te laten maar hij is nu bij zijn familie waar hij al heel lang geleden afscheid van heeft genomen toen hij besloot naar Canada te gaan. Wat zal hij met liefde ontvangen worden!
Hij was een lieve man, lieve vader en een lieve opa. Trots op jou en de kleinkinderen.
Je boft maar dat je zó lang zijn leven hebt mogen delen.
Ook al is het lang geleden dat ik hem gezien heb, voor mij was hij de liefste oom want hij nam altijd ansichtkaarten van vliegtuigen voor mij mee waar ik héél trots op was want ik wilde toen heel graag stewardess worden. Dat is er nooit van gekomen maar die ansichtkaarten waren wel heel speciaal voor mij.
Lieve nicht, heel veel sterkte in deze moeilijke tijd en weet dat wij hier in gedachten heel dicht bij je zijn.
Dikke kus, ook namens Eric
Hanneke Brugmans-Tollenaar
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Loes Jongen-Tollenaar uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, March 21, 2021
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Corry & Jan will welcome him in heaven.
This photo was taken, years ago, when my mom Corry and dad Jan travelled to Canada to see Martin & Irene. They had a great time! Sweet memories.
L
Loes Jongen-Tollenaar lit a candle
Sunday, March 21, 2021
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Lieve Josee en kleinkinderen,
Wij wensen jullie heel veel sterkte met het verlies van je lieve vader en opa.
Voor mij was hij Oom Martin en daar ben ik trots op. Een geweldige man met mooie verhalen en avonturen.
Jammer dat Canada zo ver weg is van Nederland. Anders hadden we meer van hem kunnen genieten.
Josee, gelukkig zal je vader boven met open armen worden ontvangen door allen die hem voor gingen en lief waren.
We denken aan jullie en zullen zeker de plechtigheid online bijwonen. Er brandt en kaars voor hem.
Met heel veel liefs, ook namens Harry,
xxx Loes
T
Tribute Store
Sunday, March 21, 2021
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Blue Skies was purchased and a memorial tree was planted for the family of Martin Van Duyn.
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Thinking of you ... so sorry about your loss. Love Ashley and Raymond
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The family of Martin Van Duyn uploaded a photo
Sunday, March 21, 2021
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