Wietse de Hoop Obituary

Family-Placed Death Notice

DR. WIETSE (DEE) de HOOP Passed away on June 27, 2003. Dee has always been a striking figure. A tall man with white hair, he walked around Snellville's Briscoe Park at least twice a day, and had a friendly word for everyone. He endeared himself to many in much the same fashion when he visited friends and family. Dee was born in 1916 in the Netherlands, son of Rauke and Neeltje de Hoop. In the tough years of the Great Depression, followed by the German occupation of the Netherlands, Dee was able to complete his education and rise through the teaching ranks to become school principle. Later Dee moved to Aruba, where he founded the first school for exceptional children. In 1958, Dee emigrated with his family to the United States, where he taught while pursuing his graduate education. Dee received his Ed.D. from the University of Georgia, and became Professor and Section Head of Special Education at West Georgia College. Later, Dee moved to Eastern Kentucky University, to become the founding Chairman of the Department of Special Education. In his retirement, Dee lived in Cibolo, TX., Roswell, GA., Loganville, GA., and Snellville, GA. Dee's wife of 59 years, Frieda, passed away in 2001. Survivors include three children, son, Herman and Pat de Hoop of Houston; daughter, Elisabeth and Wade St. John of Atlanta; and son, Niels and Martha de Hoop of Baton Rouge. Grandchildren are Edwin Harman III of Atlanta; Laura and Andy Chambers of Plano, TX; Rodney and Tracy Barnes of Baton Rouge; Timothy and Aislinn Barnes of Mitchell, NE; and Jeremy and Wendy Barnes of Baton Rouge. He has four great grandchildren. A visitation will be held in Parkwood/Parkview, 3001 Lenora Church Rd., Snellville, GA. on Saturday, June 28 at 2 p.m. Dee's ashes will be spread in North Carolina Mountains at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Dr. Wietse de Hoop Scholarship Fund, Eastern Kentucky University Development Office, CPO Box 19A, 501 Lancaster Ave., Richmond, KY. 40475.