Gerard van ANTWERPEN Obituary

ZL2GVA SK. Gerard was a respected member of the NZ Amateur Radio contesting community. We had communicated 100's of times over the years and only met in-person once. We will miss your signal in the domestic 80m contests. 73 mate.

To Gerard's family and friends,

We are saddened to hear about Gerard´s passing. We raced bikes together, and I always appreciated his fairness and honesty as a competitor. He brought a great sense of respect to the sport. Such great memories racing head to head in time trials or the handy cap from the family front gate.

My thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.

Kind regards,
James shapcott & the Shapcott family

In memory of Gerard ZL2GVA:
I never met Gerard, but over the past several years we communicated hundreds of times - in Morse Code - through our shared hobby of amateur radio.
Gerard became part of a network of Morse Code enthusiasts who would meet every night to exchange greetings and messages around New Zealand, and soon became one of the team of Net Control Operators, directing the network one evening each week.
Gerard was an inspiration: a skilled engineer and craftsman (who made several Morse telegraph keys of his own design), a competitive cyclist, and a popular member of the amateur radio community.
He was always cheerful and friendly to his fellow radio hams, despite the pain and suffering he endured at the end of his life. We will miss him enormously.
Sincere condolences to Jolande and the family.

It is with sadness that I learned this terrible news. I'm a primary school classmate of Gerard's and we played together often as kids. Jolande's and his adventure in New Zealand is so special and is admired in "old Zealand". I wish Jolande and kids all the best in coping with this terrible loss. Warm regards,

A solid man and a very capable engineer. Was so pleased to Recruit Gerard to Cuddons all those years ago. Rest in Peace Gerard, thoughts and prayers with Jolande, boys and extended family and friends. Sad

To Jolande, Neils, Dagmar and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of grief. Gerard was a good friend and, an exceptional riding buddy who will be sorely missed by those who knew him.

I will forever remember our training rides and the cycle races that we rode together. Training with Gerard was not for the faint hearted as, he always pushed himself to the limit blowing me off and then coming back to pick me up again and again. When it came to his racing he was on another level in strength, fitness and tactics. Gerard would always tell me "you don't have to race the race as fast as you can to win, you just have to go over the finish line 1st".

I will miss our talks on solving world issues over our morning coffee and, talking about the things that we shared a common interest in. Gerard enjoyed talking about his amateur radio's and would often brag about the latest batch of beer that he had just brewed up.

Gerard, this was a race that you had to win bud but, didn't. I take my hat off to you for fighting so gallantly. Till we meet again my friend.

Graham, Gayle and Stacey Mitchell

To Jolande, Dagmar and Niels, I extend my sympathy and love to you all as a family at this sad time, of Gerard's passing, after a well fought battle. Regards Colleen Elwood