Pieter J. van der Have Obituary (1944 - 2026)

Pieter J. van der Have, 82, of Layton, Utah, passed away peacefully on June 12, 2026, surrounded by his family after a long and courageous battle with cancer. A loving husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Pete was born on March 6, 1944, to Pieter and Catharina Broekman van der Have in the Delfshaven borough of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Alongside his older brother, Henk, Pete spent his childhood playing on the beaches and riding bicycles to the family's seaside cabin in Oostvoorne. In 1957, when Pete was 13, they immigrated to Utah, seeking distance from the hardships and trauma they had endured during World War II. Pete graduated from the University of Utah in 1967 and became a naturalized U.S. citizen at age 24. Early in his career, he taught French at Hillcrest High School in Salt Lake City before beginning a more than 40-year career in facilities management at the University of Utah. During his tenure, he played a key role in facilities planning for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. He was also a longtime scoreboard operator at Utah Utes football games, a role he looked forward to every season. After retiring, he took on what he affectionately called a "retirement job" as an instructor and department chair at Weber State University. He retired for good three years ago. Tall and handsome, with green eyes and a full head of hair that remained the envy of many men, Pete was known as much for his natural charm as for his wit, intelligence, and kindness. Well-spoken and well-read, he had a gift for engaging conversation. Known as "Opa" to his grandchildren, he delighted them with his mischievous sense of humor and signature mustache wiggles. He also got a kick out of giving hilariously inappropriate greeting cards for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions. He adored his dogs, Sammy and Charlie, who were faithful companions throughout his later years. He was a math whiz, played guitar, and had a keen eye for photography. True to his Dutch roots, he was an avid cyclist who took every opportunity to ride. Together, he and his wife, Vickie, explored destinations throughout Europe, Hawaii, and beyond. Many of their travels centered around cycling, though they were equally happy discovering new places, cultures, and experiences together. He felt most at home near the water, where the scent of the ocean brought back memories of his childhood. He often joked that the smell of oil tankers reminded him of Rotterdam and frequently reminisced about growing up in a harbor city. He also appreciated life's simple pleasures, including a fine single malt whisky, salty Dutch black licorice, and good Gouda cheese. His son, Ethan, was his pride and joy. He treasured the many road trips and adventures they shared, whether camping and fishing at Scofield Reservoir, exploring national parks, or cruising through Norway in search of the Northern Lights. Golf was another lifelong passion. He spent many happy—and occasionally frustrating—days at Oakridge Country Club and made several memorable golf trips to Ireland and Scotland. One of his longtime goals was to play the legendary Old Course at St Andrews, a dream he fulfilled alongside some of his closest friends. He looked forward to poker nights with his buddies and rarely missed the chance to attend or watch games featuring his favorite teams, the Utah Utes and his hometown club, Feyenoord. Pete will be remembered for the warmth, humor, and thoughtfulness he brought to those around him. His legacy lives on in the stories, laughter, and memories shared by the family and friends who loved him. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Vickie; son, Ethan; bonus daughters, Heidi (Rob) and Melissa; former wife Jo Ann, the mother of Ethan; eight grandchildren, Anthony, Alex, Maddie, Cassidy, Makenzee, Lauren, Ashlyn, and Emme; and two great-grandchildren Evie and Henry with another expected later this year. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother. Family and friends will gather to celebrate Pete's life on June 28, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at Oakridge Country Club (1492 Shepard Ln, Farmington, UT 84025). Guests are invited to bring photographs and their favorite written memories of Pete to share. In lieu of flowers, to honor Pete, you can donate to the Pieter J. van der Have Memorial Scholarship Fund (link below). Those who knew and loved Pete are invited to share their memories and upload photos to his memorial parge at: www.myers-mortuary.com. Your stories, pictures, and memories will help carry forward his legacy. Safe journey to the land of beautiful souls, Pete. You will be forever missed.