Anton Bestebreurtje '75

15 comments on Anton Bestebreurtje '75

1. When I was an applicant to Williams, I had an alum interview with Anton Bestebreurtje. I got lost on my way to the restaurant, and I showed up painfully late. He waited for me (pre cell phone days, I could not call and explain my tardiness), though he seemed to be finishing reading the (entire) Washington Post as I walked up to the table. He graciously sat with me for an hour, and he welcomed my nervous, flustered self. When I left that encounter, I was even more convinced that I wanted to go to Williams, if it had people like him representing it. Thank you, Anton. John Andrews, ’89.

2. Very sad news, indeed. I just pulled out Anton’s recent Christmas card showing the extended family he was obviously so proud of. And I had to chuckle thinking back on our time together in pre-renovation Morgan East, a unique collection of people and perhaps the only dorm on campus with its own periodic staircase waterfall (which of course Anton had nothing to do with). As all have said, he was truly dedicated to keeping in touch, with notes on alumni fund mailings, email and phone contact over the years.
   Deepest condolences to Donna and all the family, and bon voyage, old friend.
   Tim

3. Anton, dear friend. There will be many who will remember and extol your virtues as class agent extraordinaire. And that you were, without question. But my favorite memories of you revolved around life at Dennett House and the beer machine. You were always enthusiastic, no matter the activity, and certainly pinball and ping pong were among your favorites. But as a beer machine customer, you were legendary. When the machine ran on quarters (yes, that is how much we paid for beer back then) you could be relied on to arrive at all hours, day or night, to get change so you could supply some gathering. Later, when Dave Arnold converted the machine to operate with keys, you could be relied on to arrive at all hours, day or night, to get a key reset so you could supply some gathering. You were a friend to all in the House and that friendship has lasted many years since. My condolences and best wishes are with Donna and your family. Rest in Peace.

4. Anton —
   We are all in your debt, for all you did — and got us to do — for Williams. There’s a special seat in purple heaven for our chief wrangler, motivator, town crier. Our classs motto should be “Anton would know”. You will always be in our hearts, a constant presence whenever we gather. Thank you — and thank you Donna, for lending Anton to our cause. Rust zacht, lieve Anton. May your memory be an eternal blessing.
   xox/Andrea Axelrod

5. Oh Anton, you were so very committed to our beloved class of ‘75, so caring and dedicated towards encouraging all your classmates to participate in supporting our alma mater on an annual basis while being so proud and loving of your own family. I so admired your love of life and of Williams. Our 50th won’t be the same without you being there.

6. To Anton- What a wonderful man! You were more loyal to Williams than all of us combined. And you were loyal to all of us whom you adopted as friends no matter where we were in college days. How you also found time to take care of your beautiful family with Donna, be successful in your career and hang all those Xmas lights, is anyone’s guess. You will be forever missed and always cherished. Rest in peace. Many thanks for the love you shared with so many. Sam Bronfman

7. Anton,
   Our friendship began in Mission Park, but it continued through our lifelong work for Williams!
   You are a giant in our class! “Give 2 Williams” was your license plate and thanks to your outreach, wonderful personality and gentle cajoling, the class of 1975 gave.
   You are an even better family man and friend. You could not have been prouder of your wife, daughters and your grandchildren, sharing pictures and news succinctly, but conveying your love for your family thoroughly and genuinely. When Carol and I were blessed with our first grandchild, Leo, you welcomed me to the “grandparents club” with the advice that “You are going to love being a grandpa”, and you are so right!
   Williams will miss you, the class of 1975 will miss you, I will miss you and your other friends and family will miss you. But thank you for living your life in such an exemplary manner and creating such wonderful memories! They are a blessing for all who knew you!
   Rich “Pick” Pickard

8. Anton,

   I am deeply sadden that you have passed from this world. All the members of our class are circling the whirlpool of life, but you are not the one that I would wish to precede us.

   As I dwell on it, our few months in Morgan East were the high point of my Williams tenure. The vast opportunities, the novelty of our situation, and the license to trash our stairwell, feels like yesterday.

   Your tenacious efforts to keep me attached to my alma mater are greatly appreciated. There is not an other of my myriad friendships from school that has persisted like ours. I know it is a reflection of who you are and your uncommon ability to connect to people. I deeply appreciate your commitment to bring us all togther.

   I will miss you dearly.

   Bob Strachan

9. Anton was a true Southern gentleman with a smiling face and warm personality that set him apart from many of our classmates. I will always recall Anton (aka “The Colonel”) wearing his iconic faded jean jacket while holding court (with his beloved Donna) into the wee hours of the night watching Channel 5 from Boston on the tube in the Dennett House landing. And of course Anton was a certfied pinball wizard on the Spot a Card machine in the Dennett House Rec Room– as well as an invaluable source of needed nickels for late night pinball marathons.

   Several years after graduating, Anton shared with me some memories regarding his legendary father who was a highly decorated hero in WWII. In particular, I remember how proud Anton was when he returned to the Netherlands for the 50th commemoration of the liberation (if memory serves), and he was surprised to find himself as a center of attention as a son of the “Great Bestebreurtje” –and I am sure the folks in the Netherlands didn’t have any difficulty pronouncing that last name!. And Anton always carried pics in his wallet of his lovely family which he was only too happy to share with me and his other classmates at various alumni gatherings.

   Anton, with your loyal service to the Class of ’75, you were a “class” act in more ways than one. And while I know you will be at our 50th reunion in spirit, it will not be the same without you there in person. My condolences to Donna, Martha, and the rest of Anton’s family–we share your loss.
   Chip Foster

10. Anton was the glue for the great class of 75

    He was an awesome agent and I have so many fond memories of telethons at the old Williams Club. Lots of drinks and stories on those weekends!

    He was a magnet for bringing class members together and we got his Christmas card and family update every year

    Years ago I told the CEO of VEPCO that he needed to send Anton a thank you card for his December electricity usage keeping the outrageous light display going!

    A huge loss for Donna and his family but also for our class and for Williams

    Hard to imagine our reunion without his outsized presence.

    Rest in peace

11. I spent many (many, many…) hours with Anton in 2 years in Dennett House (w/ Meg & others) including his mastery of the Gottlieb Spot-A-Card ancient (then) pinball machine that Dave Arnold (a resident genius) kept going with his soldering iron etc. (my introduction to messing with that ).

    We also saw each other at Willams related things often and always compared notes on how our old cars were running, among other things. A great character and friend.

    My thoughts are with Donna, Martha, and Anton’s family.

12. Although Anton’s legacy resonates with notable accomplishments on behalf of the College and our class, his natural wit, wisdom and friendship are the unique qualities that all who knew him admired most about him. Anton’s true colors always shone brightest when personal difficulties arose. When my late wife, Diane , passed away suddenly in 2000, Anton was there to express his compassion and support and we nurtured a close friendship thereafter right up to the present day. We will all miss him and are better individuals for having known him. My deepest condolences to his family. He will not be forgotten.

13. Dear Anton,
    How sad to have this news. We had some good times together when we were both in the DC area and I loved keeping in touch with holiday cards. You did great things for Williams, Alicia

14. Anton, Even though you loved finance and I loved nature, we were best friends at Mission Park for 2 glorious years. And you still owe me one more bird-watching trip…. which I imagine you will be doing in Heaven! (ha!). I will sure miss you, and all our stories, friendship, kids, grandkids, and other amazing life chapters. I am happy you are in a good place, and thank you for such a rich life full of amazing people and actions. Hugs n bugs, Meg

15. Ah, Anton. Despite not knowing you as an undergrad, I do know you were at the heart, the soul, and the very identity of our class. I came to know you as an alum, awaiting each dunning notice with a chuckle, and, as if you stood (tall) with a homing beacon flashing, eager to find you at each reunion. Your magnificent attachment heightened all of ours. Forever in our hearts.
    Lee Nash Carey