Willem T. P. Niggebrugge

November 27, 1919 - April 6, 2013

Willem Theodoor Phillips Niggebrugge Nov 27 1919—April 6 2013 Corvallis resident Willem Niggebrugge died at 93. He was born in Surabaya, Java the Netherlands Indies. He went to the University of Bandung where he earned a degree in electrical engineering. He was such a prodigy that at the age of 15 he wired his supervisor’s home. He went on to finish his degree in Leyden Holland. He was a gymnast and champion weight lifter and went on to capture the title of Mr. Surabaya. During World War II he was a Dutch Intelligence officer. He was captured by the Japanese and survived the concentration camp when Allied forces freed him. He married Jenny Broekens in 1946 and shortly thereafter was again captured by revolutionist Indonesians. He was freed and in 1951 he and his family, wife and three daughters were on the last boat leaving Indonesia for Holland. In Holland he worked for NATO. Fearing that Holland might become embroiled in war with the Russians he decided to follow his father to America who was a Dutch four star general. He and his family, wife and three daughters arrived in America in 1957. They were sponsored and welcomed with open arms by the Rodney and Eleanor Miles family and the Federated Church. Will and his wife Jenny Niggebrugge were to remain active members of the church and community. Will worked for Stover, Evey & Jackson through his mid- eighties. He had a knack for working with appliances. He created the burglar proof vending washer and dryer on campus. His hobbies were fixing radios and TVs. He loved animals and adopted many strays. He loved plants and often puttered in his green house raising exotic species. He enjoyed traveling with his wife to Holland many times over the years. He was an active member of the Timber Hill Athletic Club and almost until the last month he could be seen challenging the younger set. Will shall be sorely missed in the community where he made many friends over the years. Will was preceded in death by his grandson Brandon Silva in 2011. Survivors include wife Jenny Niggebrugge; daughters, Brenda Petris Roche of Portland, Margie Dilson of Corvallis, Linda Klinge of Corvallis; brother Rudolph Niggebrugge of the Netherlands, six grandchildren and great grandchildren. A viewing for friends and family will be held from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, April 13th at the Demoss-Durdan Funeral home, 815 NW Buchanan Ave, Corvallis. A Memorial Service will be held Sunday at 1:00 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church, 114 SE 8th St, Corvallis. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Humane Society.