[br][br]Henry was born in The Hague, The Netherlands, one of six children born to Arie and Johanna van Anrooy. His early years were happy but a struggle, living through WWII in an occupied country. Growing up he loved the beach, his motorcycle and playing soccer. At 18, he served in The Royal Dutch Air Force.
On April 13 1962, Henry made his journey to the US from The Netherlands with $23 and a cardboard suitcase. On Sunday November 29, 2015, he left this world with a whole lot more!
Henry became a citizen and resided in Spokane in 1962. He married his sweetheart from Holland the same year and started his family and life here in Spokane. He loved his new country.
He was a hard worker every day of his life. His profession was a Mechanical Design Engineer for Bovay Engineering, Kaiser Aluminum and eventually his own company, van Anrooy Design Services.
Henry was a phenomenal soccer player, playing in the Netherlands and even the early years of soccer here in the US. He played with many immigrant players for the Spokane Spokes, but his true gift to the game was starting and pioneering soccer for youth in Spokane.
Henry's true love was people. He was so kind to everyone he met. He always had a smile and a story. He loved spending time with his family, whom he often referred to as "the gang!" Survived by his best friend and wife Petra of nearly 53 years; his kids Shirley (Pat Stewart), Rob (Lori van Anrooy), and Jon (Ingrid van Anrooy); and his grandchildren Joel, Elisha, Garrett, Emily, Thijs, and Finn. His extended family still in the Netherlands includes his sisters Noor van Anrooy Johnson and Joke van Anrooy Achilles and nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind many close friends near and far who were honored to know such a great man.
He loved catching a good soccer match, a Seahawks game or spending time in the sun at his lake house on Deer Lake.
He passed away peacefully with his family and close friends around him, watching the Seahawks, and drinking a Biertje.
His legacy of family, friends and many great memories were his riches. Henry was often caught saying "They can't take this away from us." He left Sunday with so much.
Henry requested to have a celebration of life party, to be held at a later date to accommodate family from out of town.
In lieu of flowers; memorials can be made to the Deer Lake Pontoon Biertje Fund or Spokane Youth Sports Association (SYSA) for youth soccer scholarships.