Gert-Jan's last months...

Welcome to this page, here I have collected some pictures of my twin brother Gert-Jan Zwart. I have also collected the music played during the funeral ceremony in MP3-format.

Gert-Jan was always very open-minded about his illness (and also about all other things in life), so I am sure he would appreciate this page.

If you have anything to say about Gert-Jan yourself, do it on the 'Remembering Gert-Jan' page. (Sorry, out of order at the moment...)

Gert-Jan finished his Dutch Electro-Technical study as an intern at IBM (USA) in 1997. He then started a new study at the MIT Media Lab late August that year. After several weeks, around mid October Gert-Jan was told he had a terminal form of cancer. He had only 3 to 9 months left to live.

Just two weeks after his 25th birthday on January 20, 1998 Gert-Jan died. During his last months Gert-Jan showed us very much strength, though his illness made him weaker every day. Gert-Jan handled his terrible suffering very bravely, he kept fighting till the end. Fortunately his death itself seemed peacefull.

Gert-Jan, I am thankfull that we could spend so much time together (Although I wish it could have been much more). You taught me many things!!
Goodbye terrific brother! I miss you already!

Love, Loek Zwart

	Here I am on top of the world in Indonesia, back in 1995.
	Holding a cat, also in Indonesia.
	One of my many homecommings from abroad.
	At Schiphol airport with Marlies and Loek
	At a chip factory, during my IBM period. (I am on the left.)
	Playing volleyball at the MIT Media Lab outing.
	At my office at the MIT Media Lab.
	Well, it seems that I am very sick. (October 16 1997)
	This might help...against the pain.
	The real baby and my Lego baby.
	That's my dad with me.
	I have lost most of my hair. Back home, November 10 1997.
	This is one of my MIT hats.
	I like many different flavours of tea.
	Talking to one of my uncles.
	My brother has cut my few long hairs.
	I need to repack my Lego in nicer boxes.
	Working on my radio control cars with my brother Loek.
	This is a finished car, my Mini Cooper.
	All we have to do on this Porsche is paint it white and put on stickers.
	In the wheelchair driving the cars at a hall.
	I love this cheese & tomato fondue.
	With some french bread, salad and wine. It's my favorite food.
	Our birthday, January 4, with one of my best friends
	My tumors are making me look pregnant.
	In the car going out for a walk/ride.
	Around the lake in my wheelchair with the whole family.
	I let Loek drive one of my radio control cars.
	Dinner with my best friends at the pancake restaurant. January 17th.
	I am glad that many friends came to visit me.
	I am still doing things...

	This is Gert-Jan's obituary, he personally picked the design.
	When Gert-Jan had died he stayed for 2 days at his home.
	Gert-Jan's choice was a plain unpainted pine coffin.
	The white hearse, also his choice. We put in all the flowers.
	Arriving at the cemetary in Amersfoort.
	Everyone is saying goodbye to Gert-Jan.
	Gert-Jan's father and brother spoke their last farewell.
	His sister Marlies recited two of her own poems.
	Gert-Jan's final place in the woods, that's what he wanted.
	Many flowers, in the front are the flowers from his friends.
	Very nicely situated in the open, on a slight incline.
	With the MIT delegation. Joey, Ingeborg and Janet.
	The going away dinner with the MIT delegation.
	This is Gert-Jan's room at home.