Andries H. J. “Dries” Jansma, 81

FLAT ROCK — Andries H. J. "Dries" Jansma, 81, of Flat Rock, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at Sunnybrook Assisted Living Home.

Dries was born in Arnhem, Netherlands, on March 21, 1931. As a young boy, he and his family lived through 5 years of German occupation. He was educated in Arnhem and Apeldoorn, Netherlands, and then served two years as a cadet officer in the Dutch Army. Following his Army service, he completed his studies at the Dutch Institute of Banking. His first professional employment was in the international department of Handelsbank, a large Dutch banking concern. His first assignment was in Handelsbank's Tokyo office.

While in Tokyo, Dries met his wife-to-be, Nancy who was employed at the Canadian Embassy. Following their marriage in Tokyo in 1957, they embarked upon a 55-year life's journey highlighted by a successful career in international banking and punctuated by a 25-year commitment to public and civic service in Flat Rock and Henderson County. During the past two and a half decades, Dries served as Board member and President of the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra, member of the Board of Trustees and President of Historic Flat Rock, Board member of the Flat Rock Greenways Committee, Chairman of the Village of Flat Rock Ice Cream Committee, Flat Rock's representative to the Henderson County Historic Resources Commission, and member of the board of the Flat Rock Playhouse. He played an important vital role in the success for a number of years of the Kenmure Country Club's golf event annually held in conjunction with Kenmure Fights Cancer.
In addition to his numerous formal positions to which he gave unstintingly of his time, devotion and good counsel, Dries was always giving of his time and encouragement to each person he met whether in the Kenmure community or Henderson County.

His lifelong hobbies included model trains, stamp collecting, extensive travel and in particular the history of WWII. As a 13 year old he and his family were forced to evacuate their native city of Arnhem on the Rhine River where fierce fighting between the Allies and Germans occurred in the 8 day Operation Market Garden battle in September 1944.

Dries is survived by his loving wife Nancy, daughter Pamela, son-in-law Glen Mattioli and grandchildren Kaia and Eli Mattioli.

For those wishing to honor Dries, a celebration of his life will be held at Kenmure Country Club from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 17, 2013.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.