IN LOVING MEMORY
Adelbert Reussink
1950 - 2024
Today, we are celebrating the life of my father, Adelbert Bernardes Reussink. It was a big, bold and beautiful life!
by Marielle Reussink
When I think of my father, I think of him as living life fearlessly. My father had a real passion and zest for life. He was full of courage. He would take life by the horns and relish the challenge.
One of my favourite memories that clearly demonstrates this is when we travelled to Brussels in Belgium in December together as a family and we visited the Atomium, a structure that symbolises 9 iron atoms. It was built for the 1958 Brussels World Fair.
It’s a tall structure with endless escalators and staircases. As you will know, my father was walking with a crutch for a long time. We said, are you sure you want to do this? "YES! Of course.” he said. He never let his “handicap” hold him back.
Once inside, he took things at his own pace. Eventually, we went up the tallest stair case. I thought “what a shame, this will probably be too much for him”. But then I looked again and “schwup” who came up through the tunnel up the escalator? My dad! We were all in awe and really couldn’t believe it. He had conquered that tower.
That was my dad.
My son Eli remembers the Atomium very fondly as well, which makes it an even more special memory. He already refers to himself as a little engineer today, building his own amazing little machines from Lego ad alike.
I think we will all have our own version of this story.
My father loved to travel. From Machu Picchu in Peru to Argentina, America, almost every single corner of Europe, Turkey, Lebanon, Singapore and Canada, he had so many amazing stories. I often asked myself how all that fits into one lifetime. Perhaps this is where I also got my spark from.
He loved books - to such an extent that at some point we had to add a second story to our Cape Town house to extend our library! In fact, it was a book by Wilbur Smith “When the lion feeds”, published originally in 1964, that convinced my father to leave the Netherlands and move to South Africa.
He worked for Dura Construction on projects in South Africa and Namibia, back then Southwest Africa. This is also how he met my mother, Gladys, in 1980. The story goes that he met her and fell head over heels. All he knew is her name and that she was a teacher at a German school. He called all the schools until he found her.
After a few years of working for Dura, he realised that having a boss was not for him and he became an entrepreneur, founding Multi Engineering – one of many companies and ventures to follow. Today, Multi Engineering is a 50-year-old company with a roster of impressive projects.
Some of his favourites included The Pinnacle, my father’s own sectional title development, Kalahari Sands – a pivotal project in my father’s career, Scorpion Mines, which got flattened by a tornado mid construction, and the Army Bases - my father’s first project in Namibia.
Talking about the Kalahari Sands, I remember this story very well. It was a period where my father was competing in various tenders and always came in second place. He got very frustrated. He especially wanted the Kalahari Sands project with the new restaurant and casino.
But it happened again – second place. The other company had underbid him again with a very aggressive price. However, the next morning, very early in the morning – it was a Saturday – he got THE call. He had won the project. The other company had retreated.
My father loved his work. I always believed my father would work till his last day. And he did. I sometimes asked my father, “dad what are thinking about?” He would talk about memories from Holland, his travels, the people he loved, and he would still be solving complex engineering problems and building site challenges in his mind.
In fact, we once had a conversation about one of his projects and he could still recall exactly the specification of a fence “ABS 400 and I don’t know what” and on which page you could find it in the supplier’s catalogue.
He made a real impact on the industry and the development of Namibia.
My father loved to work, but he also had his hobbies.
He loved to cook and was a whizz at creating complex dishes such as Indonesian Rijsttafel, Osso Buco, Dutch pancakes, Polpette di Mama, Goulash (my husband’s favourite), Hollandse Erte Soup and many more.
He loved to build incredibly detailed models of engines, horse carriages and even a firetruck for my son. He had his “Hobby Room” and would create all the parts. My mum would ask him, “where did you get this little piece from?” He would say he found it on a building site. Well, at least that was one benefit of having to look at the ground the whole time while you walk!
He even built a little version of Paris’ streets scene for my mom – of course with functioning streetlights! Later, he also got into building larger scale boats.
This was a passion that carried through all the way from his childhood, when he started with building trains as a little boy. He loved to tinker and take things apart, rebuild them and add something new. Once he built a bicycle with a motor on it. I think he was about 8. He took it for a ride and immediately got picked up by the police, who firmly escorted him home.
He also enjoyed antiques, collecting them and restoring them. This is a love he shared with his father. Together they would hunt down unique collectibles at auctions across Holland.
But beyond all this, he loved his family. Whenever we had holidays, my dad was on holiday. No work! And we went on some amazing adventures together.
My father also was an incredible storyteller, he could sing as if he belonged in the choir, and he loved adventure.
My aunt asked him how would you summarise your time here in Africa. He said: “It’s been the most amazing adventure - and it’s not over.”
My dad had a very deep love for Cape Town and our home in Hof Street, which is by the Parliament Gardens, under Table Mountain. In fact, we’ve been moving to Cape Town since I was in grade 8!
But my father’s work - and the amazing opportunities he had in Namibia, kept us here. So, he would go back and forth between 2 full lives, one in Cape Town and 1 in Windhoek, for 50 years.
My father had some great quotes. I will share some of my favourites with you:
“You can do anything you put your mind to.”
“Life is what you put into it.”
“If it’s not fun, why do it?”
And some investment advice: “Buy the worst house on the best street and make something of it.”
Daddy, we will miss you. Thank you for everything you did for us. We love you. Tony and I will make sure to tell Eli about all the adventures of his Opa and we will look after mum.
Go with the light. Go up Table Mountain. Look at that amazing view. See the Waterfront, the winelands and the ocean. Feel the warm sun on your skin and take in that fresh breeze. Let your soul soar, be free and go with peace.
Thank you to all of you who are here today. Thank you for all the messages and support. I feel like we’ve been wrapped up in one big warm hug.
Farewell
by Gladys Reussink
Deutsch
Hi Sweetie
Es gab mal eine Zeit, wo ich dich MAUS genannt hatte, bis einer deiner Freunde sagte : You call him a mouse – that’s not a mouse, he’s not a mouse. Naja, dann wurde daraus Sweetie.
Nun bist du davon gegangen. Du hast gekämpft bis zum bitteren Ende, alle Operationen meisterhaft ϋberstanden und bist immer wieder heldenhaft aufgestanden. Wir haben uns nie groβe Sorgen gemacht, dass du nicht wieder auf die Beine kommst, zwar mit Krϋcke, manchmal zwei aber meistens nur mit einer…. Die Fotos sind Zeugen davon.
Vier Hϋften, das hat nicht jeder
Einen Rϋcken aus Stahl
Ein Knie, das 2 mal ersetzt werden musste
Eine Schulter, mit der nur du fertig werden konntest
Bei Immigration haben alle Glocken geläutet, das fandest du immer wunderbar, wenn die Typen dumm geguckt haben.
Dann kam der letzte unglϋckliche Sturz am 11. Oktober. Zu all den anderen Problemen, kam dazu dann das gebrochene Handgelenk. Das war eins zu viel.
Danke fϋr die schönen Ehejahre, mit vielen Reisen und Abenteuern. Du warst ein Ehemann und Vater, der frϋh das Haus verlieβ, um Multi Engeneering und alle anderen Firmen (die uns jetzt graue Haare bescheren) erfolgreich zu fϋhren. Du warst ein geschätzter Ingeneur und Geschäftsmann.
Und abends um fϋnf /halb sechs öffnete sich das Gartentor und du warst fϋr uns zu Hause.
Deine Groβzϋgigkeit, dein schnelles Vergessen und Vergeben, deinen Mut, deine Intelligenz und dein Wissen habe ich an dir geschätzt und bewundert. Dein Schwiegersohn Tony beschrieb dich als wandelnde Enzyklopädie.
Im Herzen wirst du immer bei uns bleiben.
In Liebe und Ciaou
Deine Gladys mit Micks, Tony und dem kleinen Mann
Ruh in Frieden
English
Hi Sweetie,
There was a time when I called you MOUSE, until one of your friends said: You call him a mouse – that’s not a mouse, he’s not a mouse. Well, then it became Sweetie.
Now you have gone. You fought until the bitter end, masterfully endured all the operations, and always heroically got back up. We never worried much that you wouldn't get back on your feet, sometimes with a crutch, sometimes two, but mostly just one... The photos are witnesses to that.
Four hips, not everyone has that
A back of steel
A knee that had to be replaced twice
A shoulder that only you could handle
At immigration, all the bells rang, you always found it wonderful when the guys looked dumbfounded.
Then came the last unfortunate fall on October 11th. On top of all the other problems, there was the broken wrist. That was one too many.
Thank you for the beautiful years of marriage, with many travels and adventures. You were a husband and father who left the house early to successfully run Multi Engineering and all the other companies (which now give us gray hair). You were a respected engineer and businessman.
And in the evening at five / half-past five, the garden gate would open, and you were home with us. I appreciated and admired your generosity, your quickness to forget and forgive, your courage, your intelligence, and your knowledge. Your son-in-law Tony described you as a walking encyclopedia.
In our hearts, you will always remain with us.
With love and ciao,
Your Gladys with Micks, Tony, and the little man
Rest in peace
Dear Gladys, Marielle, Tony and Eli
Many hours have passed, even days and we do not find words to express our grief, pain and sadness that we experience with the passing of Adelbert.
All words of sympathy can certainly not help you and us over the loss at the moment, but we want you to know that our thoughts are with you.
May the memory of Adelbert accompany you like a warm ray of sunshine.
We will also remember Adelbert lovingly – thinking back to our visits, the many dinners, breakfasts, Cape Town and our trips abroad exploring different countries. We spent so many hours together, we would have to write a book. Hold on to each other supported by the love for one another.
We are grateful for having been part of Adelbert’s life.
Biggi & Ferdi
Fly amongst the stars Mr A…
When I look up into the night sky, I will remember your funny yet interesting stories about growing up in Zutphen, how your paternal grandfather packed and smoked his pipe (in great and amusing detail), your voyages around Europe, your trips to the UK (about Looord and Lady Vernon… with an ever so entertaining version of a heavy British accent), your African adventures (when things around southern Africa were different than they are today), South America (braving Machu Picchu) and your experiences in the US (witnessing racism right before your eyes in San Francisco). I will miss your loud, almost soprano-like, voice when we sang together, during our road trips or while cooking in the 1 Hof Street kitchen, songs from the Beatles, ABBA, Bee Gees and other awesome artists... I will miss getting great book recommendations from you to enjoy in my free time.
From now on, visiting Africa will never be the same again... It still feels unreal.
I visited your Windhoek office of 50 years and saw all your awards, certificates and diplomas, some of which you told me about… It was amazing… Oh how much I would’ve liked to ask you about this and that… So many great projects were planned there.
I miss you Mr A… Fly high and enjoy a good ol’ pint of Kilkenny wherever you are sir! Cheers!
Mix and I will tell Eli Adelbert Mounayar all about you and your achievements as he gets older.
Much love.
Tony
With love from the Dutch family.
Rineke & Hans, Bauke Lien, Leendert, Max, Babs & Lexi, Luuk & Joreen, Jeannet, Rosa & Anne
Bedankt lieve neef voor een bijzondere tijd samen.
Truus, Evert, Margreet, Charlot, Toon, Dirk & Jaap Schut en echtgenotem
Tschüss, Lieber Adelbert. Gute Reise.
Simone & Jürgen
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Professional Life
Biography
Adelbert was born in Zutphen, the Netherlands. He attended the University of Rotterdam from 1964 to 1970 and graduated as a Mechanical Engineer, specializing in pipelines, pumps, steam boilers, thermodynamics and steel construction.
He joined Indeco Coignet, a subsidiary company of Dura Construction in Rotterdam as Mechanical Engineer, specialising in concrete panel design and concrete steam curing methods.
He was sent to South Africa by Dura in June 1971, where he started Central Installation Works (CIW), a new company under the Dura South Africa banner. He was promoted to Chief Engineer in 1972.
Having designed several projects in South West Africa/Namibia, including the Katutura State Hospital and the Kalahari Sands Hotel, he was relocated to Windhoek in early 1974 as General Manager.
Upon completion of the above-mentioned projects, Adelbert ad his team decided to stay in Namibia and the company Multi Engineering Contractors (PTY) LTD was established in October 1974.
Multi Engineering was a multi-disciplinary engineering company that specialized in commercial plumbing and fire protection for hospitals, hotels, large housing projects, brewery installations, old age homes, shopping centres and office blocks. Focusing on energy conservation by using solar and heat pump integrated systems, as well as multi storey building drainage and water reticulation designs, Multi Engineering incorporated the latest technology in its projects.
Beyond Multi Engineering, Adelbert was a member of various professional bodies, including:
The Institute of Mechanical Engineers (chairman for 4 years)
The Institute of Marketing Management (chairman from 1983 – 1986)
Engineering Professions Association of Namibia (chairman in 1988)
Engineering Council of Namibia (1989)
National Fire Protection Agency USA – Design Engineer (2008)
Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Namibia (Trustee)
Adelbert was also a Managing Director of:
Multi Engineering Cape (PTY) LTD (1982)
Multi Bau (PTY) LTD (1994)
Namib Medical Supplies (1979)
And various other companies
Life’s Work
Adelbert truly loved his work. Together with his team and partners he made a impact on the industry and the development of Namibia.
1974
Ruacana Dam Site & Township
Okahandja Meatco Abattoir
Von Bach Dam 45 Houses & Offices
1975
Otjihase Mine Housing and Laboratory
Grootfontein 100 Houses & Offices
1976
Otjiwarongo Training Centre & 20 Houses
Oshakati Army Camp- 7 Boilerhouses
1977
Ondangwa Army Camp- 9 Boilerhouses
Rundu Army Camp- 2 Boilerhouses
Katima Mulilo Army Camp- 7 Boilerhouses
M’Apache Army Camp- 6 Boilerhouses
1974-1977
Windhoek State Hospital
1976 - 1982
University of Namibia
1976 - 1978
Rössing Uranium 300 Men Ablution Blocks-14 units
1978
Kries Verloorveld, Namibia, School-Hostels-Kitchenblock
1979
Mariental Army Camp
1979 - 1981
Oranjemund,Beauvolier Township
1980
Keetmanshoop Suiderlig School 60 Panel Solar System
Namibia Beverages - New Coca-Cola Factory
Kalahari Sands Hotel – Refurbishing Restaurant & Kitchen
Caprivi Building, Windhoek, 36 Flats
1981- 1985
Namibia Breweries – New Factory
1981
Military Camp Windhoek
1982
Koeberg Power Station- Military Base- 5 Boilerhouses
1983
Grabouw, Cape, Palmiet Dam
Grabouw-1500 men site establishment, 26 Boilerhouses
1984 - 1985
Bredarsdorp Armscor 2500 men Town development
Arniston Armscor 800 men Town development
1984 - 1988
Mitchells Plain Hospital
1985- 1986
Lord Charles Hotel Somerset West, Cape Town
1986
Thüringer Hof Hotel Water Reticulation
1987
Strand, Cape 268 houses for Old Age Home
45 Bed Clinic
1988
Etosha Mokuti Lodge
1989
Citrusdal, Cape, 146 Bed 3 Star Hotel & Boiler Room
1990
Safari Hotel 224 Rooms
49 Jan Jonker Road
1 Hof Street, Cape Town
1991
Cape West Coast- Club Mykanos Resort
1990 - 1994
Cape Town Technicon
1993
Uhland Heights
1995
Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre
University of Namibia, Olympic Pool
The Trails
1996
Kalahari Sands Hotel – New Casino
1999 – 2003
The Pinnacle – Sectional Title Development
2000
Meatco Abattoir
Metro Cash & Carry Prosperita
Trade Centre Kleine Kuppe
The Trails
2000 - 2003
Maerua Mall Phase 2
2001
Ramatex Otjimuise
2002
Agra Co-op
Ramatex
2001 - 2002
Scorpion Zinc Mine, Rosh Pinah
2003
Trustco Office Building
Central Properties, Town Square – Olthaver & List
TaiWah Textiles
2004
Polytechnic of Namibia
2005
Edgars Maerua Mall
Maerua Mall
Medi Clinic Windhoek
Wernhill Pick’n Pay
Wernhill Park Phase 1
1 Hof Street, Cape Town - Extension
2006
United Nations Building
Viking Flats
2007
Checkers Maerua Mall
Gutenberg Plaza
Wernhill Phase 2
2008
Woolworths Wernhill
Old Mutual Towers
2010
Old Mutual Towers
UNAM Phase 1 & 2
Carl List Building
Bank of Namibia Head Office
2011
Carl List Building
Feed Centre Namib Mills
Oryx Properties Warehouse
2012
Transworld Cargo
Bank of Namibia Prosperitas
2013
Transworld Cargo
Medi Clinic Windhoek
Auas Valley Shopping Centre
The Grove Mall
2014
UNAM Phase 1 & 2
Bank of Namibia Prosperitas
Medi Clinic Windhoek
Windhoek Cash & Carry
Distell
Tre Warehouse
Grand Mark
First National Bank
Strand Hotel Swakopmund
2015
Maerua Mall
Auas Valley Shopping Centre
The Grove Mall
Grand Mark
Windhoek Cash & Carry
First National Bank
Strand Hotel Swakopmund
Checkers Rehoboth
Checkers Rundu
Checkers Mariental
2016
Bokomo
Virgin Active Maerua Mall
77 On Independence
2015 - 2016
Warehouses Swakopmund
2017
Absolute Logistics
Namibia Breweries
Maerua Mall Phase 4
2018
Windhoek Town Lodge
Unam Medical School
2017 - 2018
Nictus New Showroom
2018
Avani Hotel
2018 - 2019
Gustav Voigts Centre
New Build It premises
And more….
Between 2019 and 2022 more projects were still added.
The company started to wind down some time at the end of 2022.
Farewell & Recognition from the Industry
Bärbel Kirchner, Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Namibia
