Rotarian Jos Hekking will return to his homeland of The Netherlands at the end of July after being part of our club since 2017. Jos, who works for NATO's CIMIC Centre of Excellence, specializes in providing innovative expertise related to developing new concepts and training. Jos, his wife and three children have all enjoyed living in Virginia Beach.
 
The Hekkings started their United States adventure in California in 2017 by buying a car and driving cross country. The two oldest children studied at Old Dominion University with one earning a bachelor's degree while the youngest attended Cape Henry Collegiate.
 
Jos joined the Rotary Arnhem Oost Club in The Netherlands in 2016 where he biked to meetings. In Norfolk, he quickly became an integral part of our club. He enjoyed meetings, socials and volunteering. His wife Rianne, a psychologist, spoke to the club last year about treating patients with innovative brain spotting techniques.
 
"I have appreciated Rotary Norfolk immensely," Jos says. "The singing, four-way test and happy bucks are traditions I was not familiar with. The way my fellow Rotarians have made me feel welcome has been heart-warming. I will treasure this!"
 
Once back home Jos, a lieutenant colonel in the Dutch Air Force, will prepare for his next military assignment. In January he will be stationed in the West Bank on a training and coaching mission for the Palestinians.
 
When asked what he will miss most about living in Virginia he says: "The answer to this question is always people. But if I exclude this, it will be the beach (we live two blocks from Chic's Beach), the blue sky and the sun which shines more often than in my home country."