Johannes "Hans" Berkel

BERKEL, Hans husband, father, friend, physician, and Rotarian passed away peacefully in his home on January 15, 2013 of complications of lymphoma. He is survived by his wife, Mae, as well as their five children, eleven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. By his brother in Holland and Mae's brother in Indonesia as well as the two sisters in California. Hans was raised in Utrecht, Holland. He received his medical education as well as his Ph.D. in the Netherlands. He practiced medicine in the Netherlands and in Nigeria, Africa before moving to North America in 1989. Hans worked most of his career in epidemiology and cancer prevention research. He was President and CEO of the Cancer Prevention Institute in Dayton and Professor of Epidemiology at the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University. He has published over 100 scientific articles and book chapters. A lifelong humanitarian, Hans was always active in whatever community he found himself. In Dayton, he served on a variety of boards including the local affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the Good Neighbor House, the Breast Cancer Foundation and Prevent Blindness Ohio. It was through his association with Rotary International that Hans truly found his niche in "service above self." He joined Rotary in 1998 and served in a number of leadership positions including Club President of the Rotary Club of Dayton, District Chair for Friendship Exchange, and District Governor for District 6670 in Ohio. Hans has been an active and enthusiastic member of the Centerville Rotary Club. With Mae, Hans was able to travel to many countries around the world. He welcomed countless friends into his home and enjoyed life to its fullest. He will be sorely missed by many. A Life Celebration will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E Stroop Rd., Kettering, OH. The family requests no flowers and that memorial contributions be directed to The Rotary Foundation, One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429