Jeroen van Berkel (50), on behalf of the PvdA district councilor in West, passed away unexpectedly on Monday afternoon.
–
The PvdA reports this tonight. Van Berkel had been active in politics since 1999. Originally as a policy officer in the House of Representatives, later, among other things, as a political assistant to Ahmed Aboutaleb. First when Aboutaleb was alderman in Amsterdam, later also in The Hague, during Aboutaleb’s state secretary. Van Berkel had been a district administrator in West since 2014. He managed the portfolios for resident participation, traffic and public space and greenery.
‘Defeated and in disbelief’
On Twitter, people react with grief and disbelief to the death of Van Berkel. “It is very unreal and I will miss him very much,” says PvdA leader Marjolein Moorman. ‘We are deeply defeated,’ writes councilor Sharon Dijksma (PvdA). What a terrible loss to his family and friends. Jeroen van Berkel, that cheerful and always approachable social democrat. With his boyish bravado and that warm red heart that just stopped beating today .. ‘
And the national PvdA leader Lodewijk Asscher also expresses his grief on Twitter. Baffled by this intensely sad news. Jeroen was one of the happiest and most passionate people I know. Humour. Warm. Energetic. What a loss’, says Asscher. “I am defeated and full of disbelief,” writes Fenna Ulichki, district chair in West. ‘My beloved friend and colleague Jeroen van Berkel has suddenly passed away. Amsterdam is losing a wonderful man and a passionate and committed driver. ‘
Mourad Taimounti (DENK) also responds on Twitter: ‘Just heard the terrible news. The city has lost a good person and a skilled driver. A highly valued colleague. ‘
Van Berkel leaves behind a girlfriend and two daughters.
–
