Roelof "Dutch" H. Oostveen

Roelof Hubertus Oostveen, affectionately known as Dutch, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 7th, 2025, at the age of 93. Dutch was one of seven children born in Eygelshoven, Holland to the late Roelof Oostveen and Elisabeth van de Hoeff on October 16, 1931. He was educated in the Eygelshoven school system. He served as a Green Beret of the Netherlands. On May 2nd, 1957, he married Maria Fernanda Peters and from this union they had three children; Roelof (Rob), Mary-Ann and Timothy. In 1958, with his wife, eldest son Rob, and $50, they immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands. After arriving in Washington, D.C., he found work at Fabricator Steel in Bladensburg, MD, which required four years of training in an apprenticeship school. After working his way through the ranks, he became the highest-paid employee in the factory. He spent four years teaching in a union school and then landed a job as a mechanic at a Naval Research Lab in D.C. He worked on submarine warfare tactics and mechanics, which allowed him to travel frequently to the North Pole, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, England and Scotland. He retired in 1991 and in 1993 he moved to Ocean Pines. One of Dutch’s favorite pastimes was any and everything cycling. He became interested in cycling in 1946, while Europe was recovering from World War II. His first bike he built on his own from using parts from three other bikes— a skill he used regularly until he moved to Easton, MD to live with his daughter in the fall of 2024. He started racing in Holland when he was 16 years old. When he moved to Ocean Pines, he started a cycling club and he biked every day with his friends up until the last year and a half; cycling about 4000 miles a year! Dutch was also a founding member and the oldest member of a cycling club he helped form in Holland in 1950 as well as a Senior Olympian. Dutch was an active member of the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club. Dutch was a deeply religious man. He was a member of St. John Neumann for 32 years and he joined Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church after moving to Easton. You could find him at church, bible study or the widows group every week. After moving to Easton, Dutch quickly made new friends at the Talbot Senior Center which he enjoyed going to. He was also known as the “unofficial mayor” of Ocean Pines. A stranger was just a friend he hadn’t met yet. In March of 2025, he became a great-grandfather to Myles, who was his pride and joy. Myles gave him new life, new purpose and kept him going. He loved dressing up (a bolo tie, cowboy boots and turquoise were a must!), a good tune, watching the news, and spending time with his family. Dutch had a larger-than-life personality, and his presence will be missed. Dutch was preceded in death by his wife, Maria Fernanda Oostveen on December 13, 2015, she was 83 years old. Dutch leaves to cherish his memories his children, Roelof F. Oostveen (Jeannie) of Eldersburg, Mary-Ann E. Milligan (Scott) of Easton and Timothy C. Oostveen of Oklahoma; grandchildren, Garth, Justin (Galen), Bradley (Tessa), Kaitlyn (Alaina), and Roelof Jr; one great grandchild, Myles; special friend, Laura Bennett; and a host of other relatives and friends. A visitation will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025, from 10am until 11am at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 1210 S. Washington Street, Easton, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11am at Sts. Peter and Paul. Following Mass a luncheon will be held at the church in the social hall. Please RSVP to Mary-Ann if you are able to attend at: 443-496-1449 In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to: Mid Shore Community Foundation, 102 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD. 21601.Please specify "Brookletts Place - Talbot County Senior Center" in the memo section of your check.

Roelof "Dutch" H. Oostveen

October 16, 1931 - September 7, 2025