It is with great sorrowfulness that we annunciate that our blood brother , friend , and co - worker , David van Wingerden , go along aside on January 15th after a 19 - month battle with leukemia . On behalf of our kinsfolk , management team , and employee , we prolong our deepest sympathies to David ’s family . David was a devoted figure who brought passion , stewardship and energy in horticulture to Express Seed Company , its suppliers , and its client .
arise up alongside his sib in the greenhouse business sector constitute by his father , John van Wingerden , David developed a lovemaking for the horticultural industry early on and make out the importance of vertical integration within this manufacture ’s orbicular provision Ernst Boris Chain . He , along with the squad at Express Seed , was a conduit for long - hold out global business sector family relationship that will continue to connect growers in North America to well - in - class plant varieties , genetic science , and production worldwide .
David began his vocation in the family companies in 1997 at Green Circle Growers . He finally made the permutation to Express Seed and became COO in 2006 . More recently , he took on the additional role of CIO . Prior to entering the family companies , David and his wife Keri served in Debre Zeit , Ethiopia , for 16 months of life - changing body of work and ministry . He advise several local farms regarding the production of different vegetable , yield , flowers , and dairy farm product . While there , he established Genesis Farms for veggie production and help Alema Farms , a chicken hatchery and feed party , get their beginning . In his excess time , he cared for a prominent group of child at a local orphanage , whom he never forgot . These other experiences were integral in his growing understanding that there must be a close connection between an individual ’s determination in liveliness and his purpose in job . David made it his mission to make it cleared that his life and purpose had been transform by his relationship with Jesus Christ .
Family Picture from left to right : Top words - Kayley , David , Keri , Chatham . Bottom Row – Kayte , Mak , T.J. , Jack
David always said that one of the enigma to success is take root in secure relationships that drive the best value from the integral supply chain . He pursued this vision relentlessly . “ The horticultural industriousness has bear a great loss in David ’s qualifying . We will observe his memory board and contribution by persist in to carry on his compelling rage , commitment and free energy to do the horticultural industry . ” – Scott Valentine , CEO of Express Seed .
“ We ’ve turn a loss a son , brother , ally , and fellow job partner . This is a sorrowful clip after his courageous battle against leukemia . We will miss him dearly . We thank everyone who has supported David and his fellowship during his 19 - month battle with leucaemia . ” – John van Wingerden , CJ van Wingerden , and Scott Giesbrecht .
Link to David ’s obituaryclick here .
