G.L. (“Rob”) Van Der Heijde PhD†
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Background
Gerrit .L. Van Der Heijde was born on September 20, 1944 in Vinkeveen, The Netherlands. Son of J.G. and Tervile A.P. (Theben) Van Der Heijde. He passed away on September 19, 2024, following a long battle with Alzheimer's one day short of his 80th birthday.
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Education
Master of Science, State University Utrecht, 1970. Doctor of Philosophy, Vrije Universiteit (Free University), Amsterdam, 1980.
Career
Head of Vision Department, Medical Physicist, Vrije University, Amsterdam, since 1972. He developed one of the earliest IOL power formulas in the early 1970s and a circular metal sliding rule to calculate IOL powers.
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Achievements
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Van Der Heijde has been listed as a noteworthy physicist, researcher by Marquis Who's Who.
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Recipient of the Kiewiet de Jonge award from the European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery (ESCRS) in 1988.
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He was made an Honorary Member of the IOL Power Club in 2007.
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Membership
Founder Muiderberg Field Hockey Club.
Board directors Oud Muiderberg History Society
Captain Military Police The Netherlands, 1970-1972.
Member International Ecography Society (executive board since 1997).
Science Institute Low Vision (executive board since 1996).
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Interests
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Avocations: astronomy, sailing.
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Family
Married M. Pieterse; children: Robert, Joris, Florentine.
Parents: J.G. Heijde and Tervile A.P. (Theben) Van Der Heijde
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