Geert Frederik Bakker

Geert was born in Dantamudeel, Friesland, The Netherlands on April 8, 1945. He passed away, Saturday, September 7, 2025 at home in Hilliard, Ohio from complications of an autoimmune disease.

World War II was still raging when he was born. His mother, Engletje Bakker-deBoer was a pharmacy technician. His father, Gerrit Jan Bakker, a lawyer, was a prisoner of the German military at the time of Geert’s birth. Geert had one sister, Nynke Tia and a brother, Albert Jan. Geert was married to Leslie Joyce (Smith) Bakker. He had one son, Dr. Richard Gerrit Bakker and two grandchildren.

Geert was a kind man with a steadying influence on those around him. He had a playful sense of humor and was full of joy. He loved children and they were drawn to him, always wanting him to play with them. Even when very ill, he made hospice staff and those in his presence smile at his quieter now, but still charming and witty remarks.

A veteran of the Dutch military service, Geert served in NATO forces with the infantry. In 1967, he began the 18 month assignment stationed in Bergen-Belsen, Germany.

Geert was always asked about his travel experiences and what brought him to the United States. In 1968, while in the military, Geert met a man whose parents owned wholesale greenhouses In England. Because Geert’s education was in horticulture, he was offered a position in England to gain experience and improve his English language skill. He participated in research with the cyclamen flower.

While in England, Geert was offered an opportunity to work in Denver, Colorado by a horticulture professor from Colorado State University. The professor was visiting his friend, the greenhouse owner, and helped Geert obtain the exchange visitor visa.

Geert met his wife, Leslie, in Denver. They were married on November, 1971 in Melbourne, Florida, Leslie’s home.

The exchange visitor visa required holders to leave the country at the conclusion of the exchange period and wait 2 years before applying to immigrate to the United States. The Bakkers moved to Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Geert was employed by the Amsterdam public school system, teaching horticulture to youth and managing a city garden program for elementary school children.

Again through friends in the wholesale flower industry, another exchange opportunity arose. Geert accepted a position in Bro, Sweden, a suburb of Stockholm. There he managed a 250,000 square foot greenhouse complex growing long-stem roses and studying the Swedish language.

In December, 1974, Geert immigrated to the United States, the port of entry being New York City. Geert had accepted employment in Watsonville, California for a wholesale rose and eucalyptus grower. During the three years in California, Geert began taking college business courses, planning to leave horticulture work. By now, Geert’s work experiences had created relationships and friendships with people from many regions of the world.

After the birth of his son, the Bakkers moved east. Geert completed his undergraduate studies at Fairmont State University, Fairmont, WV. He graduated cum laude with an accounting and data processing degree. Later, he completed the Masters in Business Administration at Marshall University, Huntington, WV.

In 1982, Geert gained American citizenship. He registered to vote before leaving the federal building. Because he always had a strong interest in international events, world and regional politics and economics, and knew people from many countries, he used a variety of sources to read or listen to both American and international news regularly. He enjoyed participating in discussion groups about world developments. He strived for accuracy in his interpretations of events and never missed an opportunity to vote. Additionally, he was also an active advocate for human rights issues, especially supporting the LGBTQIA communities and denouncing hate crimes against any population. The responsibilities of citizenship were important to him.

Geert was an avid soccer fan. He always followed world soccer teams closely. Even when very ill and affected by medications, he knew what games were televised and watched as best he could.

Geert enjoyed being a father and husband. He was always loving, respectful, kind. He made family activity fun and adventurous in a light-hearted way. He loved nature and being outside, and together with family spent much time hiking, skiing, swimming or walking along a beach. There are many wonderful memories. Leslie and he were married 55 years.

From 1983 till retirement in 2010, Geert served the people of West Virginia through employment at the West Virginia Public Service Commission as an utilities analyst and supervisor. He was touched deeply when several friends and coworkers contacted him to express love and appreciation. Several memories where shared that highlighted his humor, fun times, kindness and understanding leadership. He stated he felt this group was another family to him.

Geert passed away with Leslie and Richard by him. No service is planned. The family wants to thank caregivers from Capitol City Hospice of Columbus, Ohio and Compassionate Caregivers for their assistance. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.Shaw-Davis.com. If interested, the family suggests donations honoring Geert be made to Capitol City Hospice of Columbus (Ohio), the Living AIDS Memorial Garden, Rainbow Pride of West Virginia, or a child welfare organization of your choice.