Rein "Dutch" Karel Ouwerkerk

We are saddened to here of your loss. We take comfort in knowing that it is only temporary and that families are forever.

We were classmates and as a result, I would say our friendship remained strong throughout our school years from the fourth grade at Eucalyptus Elementary School in Hawthorne, CA on through Hawthorne Intermediate, & Hawthorne High respectively. I believe his best friend was Dennis Anderson, because they both had a propensity toward drafting & mathematics, which were not my strengths, but the three of us got along fairly well nonetheless. In the fifth grade, our class presented a play about The Netherlands’ Cheese Festival.(similar to the one in Alkmaar). I’ve always remembered that, because it made a great impact on me to appreciate other cultures outside of the Mexican heritage in which I was raised notwithstanding I was born in Los Angeles. During that time, Rien was accompanied by a few of members of his family, and gave our classroom a brief insight and various, yet intriguing aspects about the Dutch culture, its’ inhabitants and what it was known for, etc.. As I recall, Rien was dedicated to his studies, but during lunch period(s) recess or after school, his friendship remained loyal, sincere & respectful.