Hans Derksen: A life for home care and nature in the district of Kleve

Hans Derksen: A life for home care and nature in the district of Kleve

On April 12, 2025, Hans Derksen, an important member of the Kleve district association for home care, died at the age of 90. He was born on June 5, 1934 in Pfalzdorf and was committed to home care and horticulture for decades. Derksen joined the district association in 1978 and took over the position of deputy chairman a year later. In 1986 he was elected chairman of the association, an office that he held until 2008.

One of his outstanding activities is the election as chairman of the Rheinischer Gartenbauverein State Association in 1997. Derksen organized numerous events, including the 100th anniversary of the Rhineland Association in Moyland Castle in 2004. He was also actively in the district evaluation commission for the competition "Our village should become more beautiful", which was renamed "Our village has a future" in 2005.

commitment and honors

Hans Derksen was not only decisive as chairman, but also as a representative of his association in the landscape advisory board of the district of Kleve, which is now known as a "natural advisory board". His commitment to horticulture was recognized by numerous awards, including the large badge of honor in the Gold of the Rhineland Association in 1995 and the Federal Cross of Merit on ribbon, which he received in 2002

A particularly important concern was the reforestation and protection of trees, which he described as "partner". He planted many trees on various occasions and left lasting traces in his homeland. His passion for nature and the home also stretched to the municipality of Bedburg-Hau, where he was significantly involved in the design of the village community.

a legacy for the community

in Bedburg-Hau, you also remember two fountain systems from the 1990s, which he initiated. These wells are part of the municipal identity and show how much the life in his community shaped. However, decisions were recently made to remove these systems in the context of renovation work, including the paving in front of the Luigi ice cream parlor and an expansion of the parking lot at the Klosterplatz community center.

DERKSEN, who has been a member of the Rheinische Gartenbauverein Bonn since 1984 and has been chaired since 1979, was not only a central player in the horticultural and home movement, but also a model for many. The memorial for him will take place on June 5, 2025 at 5 p.m. in the St. Anna Church in Materborn. This date is symbolic, since it falls on his birthday and shows the imperishable influence that he leaves.

DERKSEN not only campaigned for the aesthetics of his homeland, but also for social integration. These approaches are reflected in various initiatives that are aimed today to promote an inclusive concept of home. One example is the pilot project "Heimat for all - home associations as a bridge builder for integration", which is supported by institutions such as the Diakonie RWL and the Westphalian Heimatbund e. V. [Westfälischer Heimatbund]

Hans Derksen's legacy will live on both in nature and in the hearts of the people he touched. His works and commitment to the community will continue to be inspiration for the following generations.