The Chair of the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley (ABMV) Drinking Water Source Protection Committee (SPC), Matt Pearson, expressed his condolences, and condolences on behalf of the entire committee, on the passing of committee member and agricultural representative Bert Dykstra.
“I am deeply saddened to inform you of the passing of our friend and committee member Bert Dykstra on Tuesday, March 12, 2024,” Matt said.
Matt remembered Bert as ” … a loving family man, a successful farmer, and a community champion.”
Bert leaves behind his wife Nellie and a large family including 15 grandchildren.
He ran a cash crop and a chicken broiler operation near Clinton for most of his life. He believed in good agricultural practices and protecting the environment.
“Many of us have had the pleasure of working with Bert on various committees and through local politics,” Chair Matt said. “He was a past member of the Central Huron Council for two decades and a past Warden of Huron County. As the Chair of the Huron County Water Protection Steering Committee for three years he was quite proud of their achievements.”
Chair Matt remembered Bert as a friendly and helpful person. “Bert’s smile walked into the room before he did,” Matt said.
The SPC Chair said Bert represented the agriculture sector on the source protection committee and was a source of considerable knowledge in the committee’s deliberations.
Bert’s contribution to the source protection region’s public education video series is captured in the following segment:
Chair Matt said ” … I was lucky enough to have known Bert personally for many years,” and “He will be missed.”
For those who knew Bert, and for those who did not have the honour of meeting him or knowing him, here is the memorial notice:
The Municipality of Central Huron also paid tribute to this community leader:
Bert Dykstra
In the early years of drinking water source protection, before Bert Dykstra joined the source protection committee, he served on the municipal subcommittee. He is in the front row, second from left.
