Pieter Jan Van Niel

The world has lost one of its greatest gifts. Dr. Pieter Jan Van Niel, 73, passed away May 22 at Kaiser Permanente Ontario due to complications involving his gallbladder.

Pieter was born in Rochester, New York to Eduard and Patricia Van Niel. In his youth, Pieter was raised within the First Church of Christ, Science; his faith supplied him with the proper foundation to flourish.

Pieter was a bookish boy, fervently flipping through pages of just about whatever he could latch onto. This unrelenting passion for learning enabled him to succeed throughout his scholastic career, including earning his high school diploma from Montclair High, his bachelor's degree in English from Principia College and his doctorate in Drama from Stanford University. In addition to being a gifted scholar, he was a talented singer, percussionist, writer, poet, actor and director.

Pieter loved learning and sharing his wealth of knowledge with others. This propelled him to becoming a part-time instructor at Chabot College. In 1972, he went on to become a full-time college professor at Compton College, where he founded its Theatre Arts program. He was also a theatre instructor at El Camino College. While teaching, he became a SAG-AFTRA actor during the '70s and '80s and appeared in several television shows and films. In 1995, Pieter moved to the Inland Empire to become the Dean of Humanities at San Bernardino Valley College. After two years, he returned to Compton College to continue his passion – teaching, developing and inspiring students. In addition to fortifying his legacy at Compton, he taught humanities courses at Charles Drew University. During this time, he served as a judge and board member for the California Educational Theatre Association and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

Pieter had the unique gift to see the best in individuals; he believed in the abilities of others despite their self-doubts.

This beloved man is survived by his older sister, Jennifer Haughton; his wife Angela Brooks-Van Niel and their son, Jonathan Van Niel; his ex-wife, Renee Z. Van Niel and their children: son, Jamison Van Niel; and daughters, Jessica Van Niel, Jordan Martindell and Jillian Van Niel. He was also the loving father-in-law to Maria Van Niel and Cameron Martindell and a generous grandfather to Kaleb, Olivia and Nathaniel Van Niel and Rosie and Rey Martindell.

Pieter lived a long, full life, but one cannot help but feel there were many chapters left unwritten. You will be sorely missed, Dr. Pieter Jan Van Niel. May your soul rest peacefully for eternity.

Services will be held on Friday June 8, 2018, 10:00 a.m. at Emmerson Bartlett Memorial Chapel, 703 Brookside Ave., Redlands, CA 92373 with burial to follow at Hillside Memorial Park, Redlands, CA