We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Johan van der Ende, a respected leader and a much-valued member of the INREV community. Johan served as INREV Chair from 2007 to 2010, a period marked by important growth and strategic development for the association.
A true gentleman, Johan was admired for his integrity and thoughtful leadership. During his tenure, he helped expand INREV’s reach into Asia through cooperation with ANREV, supported the launch of a comprehensive training programme, and strengthened INREV’s public affairs presence.
Beyond his professional contributions, Johan will be fondly remembered for his wit and humanity. Many will recall his closing remarks at the INREV Annual Conference, when he likened the INREV community to the famous song Hotel California: “such a lovely place… there’s plenty of room here; you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.” It was a reflection of the strong sense of community he helped to foster.
Johan leaves a lasting legacy within INREV and the wider industry. He will be greatly missed.