Simon Hoffstatter

On the 26the of July 2006 I took this picture when I visited a yearly meeting of old motor vessels in Weert (The Netherlands). While I walked around to watch the vessels and take some shots I get to talking with a very friendly man; the man on the picture, who was also a visitor of the show. He attracted my attention because of account his uniform of the Royal Netherlands Navy. He told me that during his active live he was the captain of one of the ships of the Holland America line.

Like a seaman in heart and soul he was still attached to ships and visited the meeting of the old motor vessels each year. And specially for that occasion he goes with his uniform.

I asked him if I was allowed to take a picture of him which he liked very much. He pointed me out where he lived so I could bring him the picture if it would turned out well.

A couple of times I attempted to bring him the portrait but found no-one in. I didn't know his name so I wasn't unable to come in contact with him in an other way than just to drive to the place he lived.

After a several futile attempts I finally decided to ask some people who lived in the same street if they knew the man from the picture. Yes they did but alas he was passed away some months before. They couldn't tell me his name but refered me to his landlord. The landlord could give me his name: Simon Hofstatter/Hoffstätter. As far as he knew mister Hofstatter had two sons which both live in foreign countries, probably Australia. They didn't maintain any contact with their father. Simon Hofstatter died in loneliness.

I do hope that by this way I will reach someone, somewhere in the world who has known Simon Hoffstatter and who is truly interested in his portrait or is able to give me the addresses of family or friends of Mister Hoffstatter so I can get in touch with them.

If my appeal did not yield any results than I wish that at least the placement of this portrait on the internet will work out as a memorial of the man Simon Hofstatter.

Thank you very much!

Ada Ipenburg

I search for relatives or friends of this man; Simon Hofstatter/Hoffstätter,

in active live he was in the service of the Royal Netherlands Navy.

Please see my explanation below this picture.

Thank you very much for your attention.

Ada

Wonderful story, Ada, and speaks to the heart you have put into preserving the dignity and humanity everyone deserves. I hope you are successful in your search for his family, and we all know Mr. Hoffstatter would have been deeply touched had he known of your effort.

By the way, best to Flore; haven't seen her for a long time... :-)

Hi Michael,

So nice to see you en thank you very much for your very kind reaction.

Searching for relatives or old acquintances is the only thing that I can do in this situation. When I made this picture I couldn't divine that this man would die so quickly. He looked very healthy and full of spirit. But alas.

How are you doing Michael?

You asked me about Flore. Well she is 13 now and the last couple of years she was more interested in other things than photography. Found some new hobbies like horseriding and music. She has singing-lessons now. Next to that she is very busy at school and she doing very well. For her birthday (couple of weeks ago she) she had made a list of gifts wanted. A digital camera was at the top of the list. So that's promising, doesn't it? We gave her a small one, the Olympus FE-340. She is on holidays now in France. She phoned us this evening to let us know what a great pictures her new camera produces. Who knows it will bring her back to PN. Btw, I gave her your greetings and she was really very surprised that you still remembered her.

Because of the problems I still have with my wrists I'm not able to make and manipulate pictures in a frequency as I was used to do in the past. So don't be surprised when you don't see me only now and than.

It's very late/early for Dutch criteria so I went to sleep now. I promise to visit your place in a short time. I'm curious to the kind of work you made now; if you're still in portraits ;-)

See you soon Michael ! Many greetings and take care,

Ada:-)

Thank you for the update, Ada. Mr. Hoffstatter appears to be a gentle soul and life can be so unpredictable, these experiences can certainly cause us to reflect on our own lives.

Glad that Flore is well and enjoying her new camera on vacation. It's the magic of youth and I will look forward to seeing her new travel pictures!

I am sorry about your wrist; hope it's not serious and wish you a speedy and full recovery. My photography has also been inactive; life got busy and will take a little time to get back into it again - hopefully soon, for the both of us. :-) Have a great evening, Ada.