It is with great sadness that we have to pass on the news that on Maundy Thursday, Henk passed away.
Henk was a keen club member for 10 years or so, slipping into the all-time Top 20 list for participation in club rides and events. You’d more often than not see him out on a Tuesday evening on his bright yellow Airnimal Chameleon, waxing lyrical about the engineering and aesthetics of his mount.
Henk had a number of strings to his bow that he talked about, albeit quite modestly. Have look at http://www.arrs.net/RecProg/RP_RSAT.htm and you’ll understand that we were lucky to have a very talented athlete in our midst, who was always happy to share his knowledge with those who asked and showed an interest. His talents weren’t just physical though, Henk was an engineer par excellence. Whether appearing as an expert on the “Scrapheap Challenge” TV show or teaching my son how to make the perfect paper aeroplane out of After Eight wrappers, there was an infectious enthusiasm about the way that Henk went about his numerous (often delightfully crazy) projects.
One such project that came to fruition on a club Turbo Trainer evening will remain long in the memories of those that were there. Henk created a turbo rig that converted effort on the bike into electricity, such that after an appropriate amount of sweating, swearing and brute force, the unfortunate lab rats (Henk “supervised” the subjects) could boil a cup of water in a kettle. As ever, it created much entertainment – the picture below shows Henk making his final adjustments.
Carol writes:
It is with regret that we have to inform you of the death of Henk Altmann on 21st April, peacefully at his home after a long battle with gastric cancer.
His funeral will be held at Oxford Crematorium (postcode: OX3 9RZ) at 10:30am on Friday 6th May and afterwards there will be light refreshments at nearby Studley Wood Golf Club (postcode: OX3 1BF).
There will be family flowers only but if you wish to make a donation to Macmillan Nurses or Marie Curie Nurses, it would be welcome.
If you plan to attend , it would help the family if you could let them know either by post to Carol Altmann, 1 Charlton Gardens, Wantage, OX12 8EL, or telephone (01235 766374), or by email to Nick_Altmann@yahoo.co.uk
From all of us at CTC Wantage, we offer Carol and the Altmann family our deepest condolences in the passing of Henk. He will be greatly missed by CTC Wantage as a friend, an inventor, an athlete and above all, a really nice guy who was a pleasure to ride with.
CTC Wantage Committee
