GIETHOORN, Herman Henri Giethoorn

A resident of Wallaceburg, passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, in Chatham, at the age of 80.

Herman was born in the Netherlands and was a son of the late Jan Arend “John” and Alberdina Diane Brand-Giethoorn.

Kind brother of Harm “Harry” Giethoorn (children Caroline, John and Natalie) and Geert Roelof “Jerry” Giethoorn (children Mike, Angela and Jessica) and the late Hillegonda “Hille” Giethoorn, later married Giethoorn-Maiolo (children John, Diana and Victoria)

Herman emigrated to Canada with his family in August 1956 and settled in Wallaceburg where his mother had a cousin living there. He graduated from Wallaceburg District Secondary School, grade 12, in 1964. He worked at Dominion Glass for several years, Benn Iron Foundry for about 15 years and at Accurcast as a machine operator for at least 15 years.  He also worked for Lyndon Security for more than 10 years until he retired at the age of 68.

Herman started photographing in the mid 1960’s and professionally (part0time) about 1970, doing portrait and wedding photography.  He was also a naturalist and did a lot of nature photography.  He signed with Valan Photos, a stock agency specializing in nature, in the mid 1970’s and sold a lot of nature photos for publication in books such as identification manuals, textbooks, children’s nature books, magazines and calendars etc.  When he retired from working for a living and doing portrait photography he became a full time nature photographer. Over the years, he traveled and photographed all over Ontario, southern and easter Quebec, the Maritimes, a few places in the United States, including Yellowstone National Park, California (Yosemite, King’s Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, the Monterey Peninsula), Florida and other places. He also joined an East African Wildlife Safari to Kenya and Tanzania in 1975, a cruise to the Galapagos Islands in 1980, the Federation of Ontario Naturalists in the early 1960’s and remained a member from that time on.  Herman is a founding member of the Sydenham Field Naturalists and served on the Board of Directors for more than 35 years. Also a member of the Chatham Camera Club, Sarnia Photographic Club, presented many instructional programs on various aspects of photography, joined the Rotary Club, Wallaceburg in 1995 and served as Secretary and on the Board of Directors for several years.

The late Herman Giethoorn rested at the Eric F. Nicholls Funeral Home Ltd. 639 Elgin St., Wallaceburg.

Following his wishes, cremation will take place.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Interment of ashes will take place at a later date.

As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Charity of Your Choice may be left at the funeral home.