Mayor Scheepers' statement on the passing of Arie van den Ban
Last night, I heard the sad news of the passing of one of our most distinguished residents, Arie van den Ban.
If anyone has meant a great deal to our community, it was Arie. First and foremost, of course, through his company, Van den Ban Autobanden. After starting out in his father’s footsteps as a coal delivery boy, Arie van den Ban built an international company that remains a leader in the tire industry to this day.
But Arie’s legacy extends far beyond that. For his greatest passion was perhaps history. And with his characteristic drive, he made that passion visible and accessible to a very wide audience. First and foremost, of course, through the Historyland theme park, where people from all over the Netherlands can experience history firsthand, but certainly also through the many lectures Arie gave—even as recently as March of this year—on various topics from our municipality’s past.
As an employer, an entrepreneur, a historian, and above all as a human being, Arie van den Ban meant a great deal to our community. As a passionate historian, he now holds a place of great honor in the very history he loved so dearly. With the passing of Arie van den Ban, we lose a man who brought Voorne aan Zee to Voorne aan Zee . An enterprising, headstrong, but above all deeply committed and kind man.
We will miss him terribly and wish his family and loved ones much strength during this difficult time.
Arno Scheepers
Mayor of Voorne aan Zee