With the deepest of regret, Ridder has learned that our much-loved colleague Mario Scherpenzeel sadly passed away Saturday July 20th. After a short period of illness, Mario died as the result of a fatal brain disease. We will remember Mario as a warm and committed colleague, and we will greatly miss his presence within our organization and his infectious enthusiasm.
Mario's enthusiasm, experience, knowledge and expertise played a major role in the establishment and expansion of the Ridder Climate Screens business unit within the organization. Mario was a pleasure to work with, for both offices located in the Netherlands and those abroad. His engaging personality was, without doubt, one of the factors in the success of the new climate screens business unit. Mario was a popular and respected colleague at Ridder. He was a constant source of new ideas and enthusiasm, and at the same time, he was always interested in his colleagues and happy to lend a helping hand. Mario leaves an enormous gap in our organization.
Networking was Mario’s great talent. Many will remember Mario’s lasting commitment to the horticulture sector, in which he spent much of his life working. During his years of service, he always enjoyed developing new relationships and maintaining customer contact, both at trade fairs in the Netherlands and beyond, and out in the field. In Mario, our sector has lost a colourful personality.
Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his wife Diana, to his daughters Romy and Lizzy, and to all his friends and family members. We wish them every strength in the face of this sad loss and during this most difficult of times.
On behalf of all staff and management at Ridder,
Klaas van de Poppe, CEO of Ridder Group