On social media, well-known Dutch people expressed their condolences to the family of the deceased journalist Willibrord Frequin on Thursday. They also praise him and his work. On Thursday it was announced that the 80-year-old journalist and television producer had died. He suffered from vascular parkinsonism and heart failure.
Barrie Stevens, with whom Frequin participated in the travel program Better late than never, thanks the journalist for all the beautiful moments. “I will cherish the memories of you forever. My condolences go out to his family and friends. Willibrord, I will never forget you,” Stevens writes with a photo in which he places a hand on Frequin’s face.
“Hello dear Willibrord, this was the last photo I was allowed to take of you. The eternal fighter, to the last gasp”, photographer William Rutten writes with the photo in question. “Have a nice trip and tell them the truth up there.”
“Rest in peace dear Willibrord,” writes Olcay Gulsen. “During one of our special conversations you told me that you believed in the afterlife, but that you intended to have a good conversation with God about the abuses in this world. Best of luck to your dear wife, children and grandchildren.”
‘Typical Willibrord to die on Ascension Day’
Journalist Lammert de Bruin calls it “typical Willibrord” to die on Ascension Day. “Typical Willibrord to kick Jesus on this day and do the same.” Jan de Hoop writes that “a beautiful person” has passed away.
Journalist Fons de Poel, the author of Frequin’s biography, says he looks back on the bond he had with him with great pleasure and love. They knew each other for about forty years: from their time at the KRO program Focal point until the intensive collaboration for the book Willibrord† shy flail†
“Willibrord was a journalist and television producer like there was only one,” says De Poel. “He’s going to be interviewing God up there hard.”
‘He could also be very unpleasant’
De Poel says he has learned a lot from Frequin. “Everything could always be better, things are never good enough and you are only as good as your last report. Those are lessons I have always remembered,” says De Poel. “Some people thought he was an asshole, some people thought he was a hero. He’s done very good things, but he could also be very unpleasant.”
KRO-NCRV, the successor to broadcaster KRO, is saddened by the death of the journalist and television maker. “It is with sadness that we learned of the death of our former colleague Willibrord Frequin. He was an idiosyncratic and striking journalist and for years he made revealing and controversial reports for KROs. Focal point† We wish his family a lot of strength and strength,” the broadcaster wrote.
State Secretary Gunay Uslu (Culture and Media) also reflects on Frequin’s death on Twitter. According to her, the Netherlands has lost “one of its most high-profile journalists”.