[asia-apec 644] John Vandenberg

[Robin Gibson]

September 10, 1998

Dear friends and colleagues in the APEC network


This letter is to officially inform you about the loss of our
friend-colleague John Vandenberg and the sadness that is affecting PWRDF
and all of us together in the Asia region.

As you, may have heard already, on Saturday, September 5th a tragic
bicycling accident claimed the life of John Vandenberg and robbed the
international development community of one of its finest workers.

John and his wife Monica were cycling together in Toronto when he was
struck from behind by a vehicle. Monica was not hurt. John immediately
lost consciousness and was taken to hospital where he died early Sunday
morning, September 6th.  John was 32 years old and he and Monica had
been married a little over a year.

John was the Asia Pacific Development Co-ordinator for the Primate$B(Bs
World Relief and Development Fund. He had been working at PWRDF with the
Anglican Church for three and a half years. John was deeply respected by
his colleagues at PWRDF and by ecumenical colleagues and partners around
the world. He will be sorely missed. His gentle spirit, his firm
convictions about justice and his capacity for hard work characterized
his work and relationships.

Staff at PWRDF are gathering together a collection for John$B(Bs family and
his wife,
Monica, of people$B(Bs work memories of John. Those wishing to send a
written  contribution may mail it to PWRDF at 600 Jarvis Street,
Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 2J6 or fax it to 416 924 3483.

Those wishing to make a donation in John$B(Bs memory are asked to
contribute to the Mennonite Central Committee, the development
organization of John$B(Bs home church and the place where John and Monica
met. Contributions can be sent to MCC, 50 Kent Avenue, Kitchener,
Ontario, N2G 3R1.

Until we make other arrangements, Rob Shropshire will be in charge of
dealing with work related correspondance, so if you need to contact him,
please do so at 600 Jarvis St. Toronto, Ont, M4Y 2J6 E. Mail
rshop at web.net  ( (416) 924-9199 Ext. 266.

We will be in touch with all you as soon as we have a new person to
cover the work.  It is very sad to think about replacing a loved one,
but our ministry shall continue to help those in need.

Sincerely.



Robin Gibson
Director
PWRDF