Obituary
Pieter G. V. Thomassen, 84, died July 13, 2016 at Tidewell Hospice in Bradenton.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Eleanor of Holmes Beach. Also surviving are sons, Pieter (Laura) and Bruce (Sophia) and daughter, Kirsten (Ken Lane), all of the Seattle, Washington area, and stepson, Jeff Gerstenberger (Julie) of Rochester, New York; eight grandchildren: Haley and Eliza Lane, Marleigh and Brett Thomassen, Dominick Hatcher, Gavin and Austin Thomassen and Alex Gerstenberger; and one sister, Mimi Miskovsky of Seattle. He was predeceased by the mother of his children, Mary Sue Thomassen in 1985.
He earned his Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor degrees at the University of Michigan. He is a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Pieter served for 26 years as a District Court Judge in Ann Arbor , Michigan, first elected in 1968 when the District Court system was introduced in the state.
He was a member of the American Judges Association (Board of Governors), the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan and the Washtenaw County Bar Association.
He enjoyed golf, sailing, and fishing, was a member of Trout Unlimited, a member of the Ann Arbor and Anna Maria Rotary Clubs and the Key Royale Golf Club in Holmes Beach. Pieter loved people, parties and University of Michigan sports and became a gourmet cook in his later years.
Memorial gatherings both in Holmes Beach and Ann Arbor will be announced at a later date. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crmatory 43rd Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions will be welcomed by Tidewell Hospice of Southwest Florida: 5955 Rand Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34238 (specify funds for Tidewell Hospice in Bradenton). Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.
