Adam Hartman
9 July 2009
VETERAN former Walvis Bay Municipal CEO, Jan Wilken, passed away at the coastal town on Tuesday at the age of 84.
According to his wife, Maria Wilken, her husband had prostate cancer for the last few years of his life. Despite having been in and out of hospital during this time, he was still considered in "good health" by doctors.
"He was a strong man," Maria Wilken said yesterday. Jan Wilken's condition, however, deteriorated significantly on Monday and he was admitted to the Welwitchia Private Hospital in Walvis Bay, where he died at 16h55 on Tuesday.
Wilken is survived by his wife and four children; daughters Anette, Istelle and Ansje, and son, Jan Wilken Jnr. A fifth child, Chris, died three years ago from a heart attack.
Jan Wilken served as CEO of the Walvis Bay Municipality from 1958 to 1992. He served as a town councillor at the harbour town from 1994 to 1996. Maria Wilken said her husband will be cremated and a memorial service will be held at the NG Moedergemeente at Walvis Bay. She could not say when, as funeral arrangements had not been finalised by yesterday.
In a tribute to Jan Wilken yesterday, the Walvis Bay Municipality stated that he was "adept at undertaking most challenges with consummate ease" as a Town Clerk and Councillor.
"He based his success on an age-old doctrine of discipline and hard work. Although his political line of thought would not always go unchallenged, everyone appreciated that when Jan Wilken engaged in debate," the tribute reads. "In all his engagements, he always demonstrated a distinctive character that defined him as a great person."
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