Roelof Klomp passed away on Saturday at the age of 92. Photo: Benny Spin
The well-known resident of the Wijk Roelof Klomp passed away on Saturday at the age of 92. Klomp was active as a volunteer for the community until an advanced age. For example, he was active for the Small Needs Aid Foundation, where he performed all kinds of (garden) work and other odd jobs for other seniors until three years ago.
In the past, he’s ridden the neighborhood bus, served as a meal delivery boy and stood behind the bar at his beloved football club Wacker. For all these merits he received a royal decoration.
Klomp was born on January 15, 1930. Soon afterwards he moved from De Stapel with the family to the Rieversterveld to move into a new farm. At the time, the ‘Rieverst’ was also dependent on De Wijk, although it did have its own school on Kerkweg near the Dutch Reformed Church. There was a lot of football on the square. During the war years, football was put on the back burner. There was no youth football at the time. After the war, in June 1945, a liberation match was organized in De Wijk against the Canadian liberators. Roelof went there with his comrade Hippie Toet to attend the match.
First clear cow pies
The match took place on the club’s field, where the Jack Burgwal car company and the Shell petrol station are now located. That was not without a struggle. First the cow pies have to be cleared, and lines have to be drawn to be able to play soccer. Washing was done at a tap behind the local pub. Immediately after this match, Klomp and Toet became members of Wacker at the age of 15. With that, the two Rieverster Poep’n were renamed Wieker Boll’n.
Both sworn comrades played football together for many years afterwards. Together with other legendary Wiekers from that time such as Herman and Koob Veneman, Willem Runhart, Harm Slot, Evert Guichelaar, Johan de Leeuw, Johannes Spijkerman, Tieme van Goor, Wimpie Dragt and Koob Nijstad. Although IJhorst had meanwhile also founded a football club and Toet and Klomp were still approached to play there, they have always remained loyal to Wacker. Roelof was a member of the local pride and the KNVB for no less than 77 years, making it the longest member of the club
Cafe Wittink
Until 1967 he remained active as a football player for the Blue and Whites. Until at a certain point it could no longer be combined with his own business, café Wittink. (The building opposite the Wieker Meule, where Trendline and the Regiobank are now located, ed.) That also served as the operating base of the ‘Wieker Boll’n’. Afterwards, Klomp sometimes played in a Saturday team when there was a shortage of players. He has also been a youth trainer/leader and ran Wacker’s canteen for many years. In addition, he was waiting at ‘t Vosje in IJhorst and later at daughter Erna’s d’ Olde Stee.
In 2010/2011 Roelof stopped working, but he still regularly came to the football field to watch the matches of the first team. His grandson Kevin has been playing football in the first team for several years and then grandfather was present most of the home games. He also often came to see the lower teams, where his son Arend plays football. Afterwards there was always a drink ready for him in the canteen. He was also an honorary member of Motorclub de Antrappers.
Sitting still is not for him
Roelof was married for 25 years to Jentje Komp-Ten Heuvel. Together they had a son and two daughters: Arend, Henny and Erna. The latter died a few years ago. His wife died 40 years ago, Roelof remained alone after that. He was also the proud grandfather of four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. (a second one is on the way – ed) “Last week he received a visit from his small and great-grandchild and that brightened him up completely,” says son Arend.
The well-known resident and former catering manager had been suffering from COPD for years. “He was not sick or bedridden, but he had deteriorated considerably in recent days. Sitting still was not for him either, as he thought he had to weed the weeds in his garden last week.” With his inseparable old brown VW, he was always clearly present when he once again toured the village on a ‘sluggish trot’. Until it gave up the ghost after more than thirty years of loyal service, but it remained mobile until the last: the oldtimer was even exchanged last year for a slightly younger, but less striking example. And with that, Klomp was immediately incognito again!
Anyone who would like to greet Roelof one last time is welcome at the sports complex of football association Wacker on Thursday 21 April from 12 noon. He is then buried privately. Due to the death of the club icon, the first team will play at home against Havelte on Easter Monday, April 18, wearing mourning bands.