BATH — Jan C. Bijhouwer, 78, died in his sleep at Hill House in Bath on December 22, 2011 after years of living with COPD. He was born in Velsen, Holland February 7, 1933 to M. Evelyn Oliver (formerly of Bath, ME) and Prof. Jan T.P. Bijhouwer. He grew up in Holland and lost his mother during WW II. Despite the hardships, he and his brother enjoyed boyhood adventures and bicycling around Holland and Europe.

Jan studied Navel Engineering in Haarlem, and completed an internship in Sweden. Holland was still rebuilding after the war, and at age 21 Jan and his new bride, Anda, immigrated to Bath, ME, his mother’s hometown.

He worked as a designer and draftsman at Bath Iron Works, and in the 1960s became a self- employed Independent Marine Surveyor. He was known for his thorough and detailed work, and it was said if you wanted to buy a boat, have it surveyed by Jan, but if you wanted to sell a boat, hope it’s someone else. He completed surveys for Lloyd’s Register, Det Norske Veritas, and many other companies, government entities and individuals. His survey records are now part of the Maine Maritime Museum collection.

Jan’s knowledge and ingenuity were legendary, and he was consulted and made many friends while they worked on projects together. He was a lifelong learner and teacher, with an encyclopedic knowledge of any topic. Jan had high standards for himself and everyone around him. As a result he brought out the best in others. He was uncompromisingly honest and ethical.

Jan and Anda purchased a home and land in Phippsburg Center in 1957. The remainder of his life was spent learning every detail of the land, building trails and eventually creating the Bijhouwer Forest Preserve, a Phippsburg Land Trust easement, which includes a waterfall, the “ hundred foot” rock, a stand of rare Mountain Laurel, and lovely scenery. He was recognized by the Land Trust in 2003 for his conservation efforts.

A self- taught builder, Jan renovated the farmhouse, adding an ell and barn. He built a camp, a maple sap house, and restored an old sawmill with which he cut lumber to build a spectacular house designed by he and Anda. He designed and built looms for Anda, a wellknown weaver, and dabbled in fine woodworking projects such as cabinets, furniture, shaker boxes and bowls.

Jan was pre-deceased by his wife Anda in 1997. He is survived by his dear friend Norma Ludwig, daughters Elna and her husband Jim Joseph, Carol and her ex-husband Michael Wark, grandchildren Aurora Hodgkins, Molly Joseph, Levi, Peter and Emily Wark, three great grandchildren, brother Pieter Byhouwer and wife Glenda of RI, and three siblings Sietje, Carla, Roy and families in Holland.

Jan’s family extends their heartfelt thanks to all the staff at Hill House for their loving care, and to Joellan and the CHANS Hospice team. A celebration of his life will be held at the Phippsburg Congregational Church Meetinghouse on January 15, 2011 at 2: 00 PM. To share your thoughts and condolences with Jan’s family please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.c om. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Phippsburg Land Trust, PO Box 123, Phippsburg, ME 04562.

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