Pieter van den Berg

Pieter van den Berg, 83, of Wilson, passed peacefully on November 16 in Durham, NC. 

Born in a small village in war torn Netherlands in 1941, Pieter was always a determined entrepreneur. He started his first business at age 10, selling 5-cent rides in his cart pulled by a pet goat. After college the Dutchman started working for Lely Corporation in his hometown. During that time he met Helena (Lenie) and two weeks after marrying in The Netherlands they set sail on a boat from Rotterdam to emigrate to the United States in 1966. He established three offices with Lely - one in Canada, another in Delaware and ultimately in Wilson. After building that business, the entrepreneur went on to start three other farm equipment businesses. 

He and Lenie lived in Wilson for 56 years where they raised three daughters: Linda Herndon (Matt) of Atlanta, Michelle Bryan (Jason) of Chapel Hill, and Allison van den Berg of Raleigh; grandchildren Josh Bryan (Jenna) of Charlotte, NC, Grace Bryan of Denver, CO, namesake Peter Bryan of Chapel Hill, NC, Olivia and Gabby Herndon of Atlanta, GA.

A true sales and marketing executive, Pieter never knew a stranger. He always enjoyed a conversation with anyone he met. He was eager to talk about Dutch futbol (soccer), Duke basketball (much to his three UNC daughters’ dismay) or about his travels across the US, where his work took him to the smallest farm towns. But most of all, he loved talking about his family. Pieter and Lenie became proud US citizens in 2001.

A memorial service to celebrate Pieter’s life will be held in the Memorial Garden at First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, November 23 at Noon. 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 3184, Wilson, NC 27895. 

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr. N, Wilson, (252) 237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com