Requiem for ‘Dutch’

William Klimowicz, of South Brunswick
   As in any good life passing, it is time for a very sad goodbye to a good neighbor and friend. Dutch Himmel (although he was always Mr. Himmel for me) was a friend to everyone that knew him. He was a real friend to the rural area of eastern South Brunswick where he spent nearly his entire life. His family has lived in the Fresh Ponds Village area for a century. He was never afraid to voice his opinion about anything that would negatively impact our area of South Brunswick.
   He will always be remembered, along with other village veterans, as being on the Honor Roll in the Fresh Ponds Schoolhouse for his military service. Longtime area residents always spoke kindly of the Himmels and Dutch will always be in our thoughts.
   I have my childhood memories of Dutch driving a farm tractor or truck to and from the open fields near my home. He always would give a friendly wave to the neighborhood kids. In my adult years, Dutch was a friend and ally. Stories about the neighborhood, many decades in the past, were most interesting . Wonderful memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
   The author of his obituary described him perfectly — despite all of his lifelong accomplishments, he always considered himself a farmer above all else. The requiem for Dutch can be heard in the sounds of nature from the fields and woods that he loved. Thank you, Mr. Himmel.