Pieter Gerrit Aukema

Pieter Aukema, age 88, passed away in the city he fell in love with years ago: Fort Collins, Colorado.

Born on October 29, 1936, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Pieter was the only child of Minke and Harmen Aukema.

When the Second World War broke out, Pieter's father was working aboard a ship. After the Nazis captured The Netherlands, all transportation into and out of the country was halted, leaving Pieter's father unable to return and join Minke and Pieter. Food became scarce, and Pieter's mother often had to leave him in the care of a neighbor while she ventured on her bicycle to forage for food in the countryside. Minke navigated curfews and dangerous routes but always managed to return to find Pieter and the neighbor anxiously awaiting her arrival.

During the war, The Netherlands suffered greatly, and Pieter had vivid memories of drinking tea made from carrot shavings and eating oatmeal topped with a scummy, unappetizing milk. Once grown, he vowed never to eat oatmeal again.

Harmen, who had traveled extensively before and during the war, remembered America and decided to move the family there when the war ended.

In 1948, they settled in New York, where Minke found happiness in her new surroundings. Harmen secured a job, and the family was fortunate to have a home and a steady income. Pieter attended the Friends School in New York and later Erasmus Hall. After graduating, he enrolled at Polytechnic University and earned his degree in Civil Engineering in 1959. His father had encouraged him to pursue civil engineering, as it was a lucrative and stable profession in The Netherlands.

Pieter met his first wife, Susan, and they were married for 15 years. However, over time, they realized their paths were diverging, and they divorced.

Ten years later, Pieter met MaryPat. Quietly and patiently, he waited for her feelings to change from seeing him as a "hiking friend" (their outings often included their dogs, children, and even his ex-mother-in-law, Helen) to something deeper. They married in 1991 and spent their retirement years traveling extensively through Europe and occasionally in the United States. Wherever they went, Pieter's love for people shone through, and he was loved in return.

Pieter was predeceased by his parents, Minke and Harmen, and his daughter, Alissa.

Pieter is survived by:
His wife, MaryPat Aukema;
His ever-faithful dog, Joy;
His ex-wife, Susan and his daughters:
Amy Aukema & spouse, Heather Draper;
Abigail Aukema & spouse, Shane Williams and grandchildren; Stephanie & Gerrit;
Angelica Aukema & spouse, Steve Hanley;
Son-In-Law, Tony Mathis and grandchildren; Jason, Joshua, Jasmine, Justin, Destiny, Serenity, Harmony, Tony Jr., Reggie, Patience & Siyani;
Stepdaughter, Colleen Murphy; spouse Joe Nesvara; grandson, Michael Murphy and spouse, Catherine; great grandchildren; James and Christian and grandson, Kerri Shepherd.
Stepson, Patrick Ortell and grandson, Trevor Ortell;
Special family members; Jeanne and David Brunkow; dear friend, Arthur Swanson and countless other friends.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Pathways Hospice for their incredible compassion and support every step of the way.

A memorial service will be held at Foothills Unitarian Church, 1815 Yorktown Avenue, Fort Collins, on January 31, 2025. The service will start promptly at 1:00 p.m. Pieter loved Foothills Unitarian Church, which was an important part of his life for over 16 years.

In honor of Pieter, donations may be made to Foothills Unitarian Church at 1815 Yorktown Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80526