Herman Alexander Duysings, 78, died suddenly at his home in Greenbank May 18, 2002.

He was born Jan. 29, 1924, in Solo, Indonesia, to Hubertus and Helena (Engelken) Duysings. He was raised in Indonesia. With the Japanese occupation of Indonesia during World War II, he was held in a concentration camp for three and-a-half years.

Following the war, Mr. Duysings entered the Dutch Air Force Academy in Indonesia. He completed two years of training, but was forced to leave due to health reasons. He worked on rubber and tea plantations for several years while completing correspondence training as an engineer.

He married Willy Monsantofils in Jakarta, Indonesia Oct. 15, 1948. After completing his education, he left for Holland, where he worked for five years as an engineer. In 1960, he came to the United States, settling in the Los Angeles area, where he was employed as a structural and mining engineer.

Mr. Duysings received his U.S. citizenship in 1967. He moved on to the San Francisco Bay area, continuing his engineering work and also operating a small construction company in the Bay Area for eight years.

Mr. Duysings retired in 1989 and he and Willy moved to Whidbey Island, where he built their retirement home in the Greenbank area. He loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing and shooting, and spending time with his family.

Mr. Duysings was an active member of the Sovereign Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church of Oak Harbor, carrying out his desire to serve the Lord. He was also a member of the Bayview Senior Center, a life member of the National Rifle Association and the Dutch Indonesian DeIndo Club.

He is survived by his wife, Willy, of Greenbank; four children and their spouses, Arthur and Rosie Duysings of Riverside, Calif., Peter and Maria Duysings of San Jose, Calif., Rudie and Renee Duysings of Coupeville, and Bernard and Michelle Duysings of Temecula, Calif.; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m. May 24 at Sovereign Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Oak Harbor with the Rev. Robert C. VanKooten officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel in Oak Harbor.

Memorials may be made to OPC Foreign Missions, c/o Sovereign Grace OPC, P.O. Box 1886, Oak Harbor, WA 98277, or Habini Netherlands Club.

Arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.