DRESDEN (May 9, 2008): Jan Iserbyt, 79, yachtsman,
gourmet cook, skier, wine aficionado, linguist, artist, musician,
motorcyclist, conservative political commentator, died peacefully May 5,
2008, at his home in Dresden after a long illness. He was surrounded by
family and his close friend, Patricia Royall of Richmond, and his beloved
dachshund, Montana.
Jan was born in Kortrijk, Belgium, on May 2, 1929, the
son of Dr. Gerard Iserbyt and Helene Thienpont Iserbyt. He was a direct
descendant of Jean Ignatius Thienpont, one of the founders of the modern
state of Belgium. He attended Louvain University in Belgium. His yacht
captain career commenced in the 1950s when he skippered yachts in the
Mediterranean.
Jan met his wife, Charlotte Thomson, in 1961 during her
assignment to the American Embassy in Brussels. They were married in 1964
at Saint Bridgid’s Church in Peapack, N.J., after which they returned to
Belgium for three years. In 1967 Jan sailed his Alden schooner Lelanta
from Holland to St. Georges, Grenada, W.I., where he operated it as a
charter yacht in the Grenadines for six years. Jan and Charlotte moved to
Camden in 1970 at which time he became a U.S. citizen. Jan operated his
Ski Shop at the Camden Snow Bowl for many years. Charlotte and Jan moved
to Bath in 1991 and to Dresden in 2006.
Jan, having grown up in occupied Belgium during World War
II, and having been well educated in world history and political
movements, actively supported and made possible his wife Charlotte’s work
as a writer and political activist in Maine and nationwide. Jan’s love of
his adopted country, his kindness to those in need, his way with words,
and his unique sense of humor will be remembered by his family and those
who had the good fortune to know him.
Jan is survived by his wife of 44 years, Charlotte
Thomson Iserbyt, of Dresden; two sons, Samuel Iserbyt of Dresden, and
Robert Iserbyt, who owns and operates Rockport Charters in Rockport;
Robert’s wife, Elizabeth Crockett Iserbyt; grandson, Lieven Roland Iserbyt;
and four sisters, Mieke Wilking and Marleen Verstraeten of Holland, and
Annie Coopmans and Kristin Stevens Iserbyt of Belgium.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on
Saturday, May 31 at St. Patrick’s Church in Newcastle, with the Rev.
Alfred Irving officiating. He will be laid to rest at St. Patrick’s
Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the
Coastal Humane Society, Range Road, Brunswick, ME 04011.
Arrangements are with the Strong Funeral Home and
Cremation Center at 612 Main St. in Damariscotta.