"Inspirational" Just Veeneklaas "crosses the bar"

18 June 2012: It is appropriate now to acknowledge the passing of a man who was inspirational for Philips here in the 1970s.

Justus (Just) Veeneklaas was a colleague and will be also remembered by several of our more mature readers. On the international circuit, Just became CEO and Chairman of Philips in Australia.

Unfortunately Just Veeneklaas suffered from kidney failure which meant that he spent time three days a week on dialysis.

But, right up until the day a massive heart attack took his life (or as he would say, “I crossed the bar”), he continued to play golf, play clarinet, keep abreast of world affairs and indulge in his great passion – sailing.

Indeed, Just died aboard his wooden sailing boat Tenacity and his ashes have been scattered at sea off the Barrenjoey Headland in New South Wales.