Oktober 28th was the farewell service of our colleague and friend Henk Janssen in Meijel; Beautiful in the middle of his birthplace and among the people. The community hall was packed; a reflection of the personal love for Henk.

It was comforting and connecting to share the memories of Henk. There was also recognition in these memories and humor, about growing up in a large family, the 70s and 80s with their unique possibilities for freedom (despite the framework of church and family), and going your own way.

In 1996 I met Henk and together we worked very avant-garde, but unfortunately without any success, on liquid crystalline lithium-ion batteries. Scientifically, we went our separate ways after that, but the friendship developed further, for example via discussions during lunch or Friday evenings; these were by definition spirited, but always from a good heart.

Henk bought about 2 to 3 CDs in the city every week, with which he kept that record store afloat on his own. Our musical tastes overlapped, especially in R&B. Prince once said: “Cool means being able to hang with yourself. All you have to ask yourself is 'Is there anybody I’m afraid of? Is there anybody who if I walked into a room and saw, I’d get nervous?' If not, then you're cool.” Henk was cool.

Henk was a creative chemist and also a strategic patent writer. He was a supporter of the chemistry in Eindhoven but stayed himself in the background. He has supported almost all organic chemistry academic colleagues at TU/e with innovative science and with equipment.

Henk was a fan of Ajax as well as a season ticket holder of PSV.

Henk was averse to frills as well as a big fan of Prince.

Henk was the son of pig farmers as well as a convinced vegetarian (but every now and then he would enjoy fish for dinner).

Henk was economically a left-wing guy as well as one of the first anti-wokers.

Henk was temperamental and genuinely interested.

Henk was full of apparent contradictions, but it was via those contradictions that Henk brought people together.

Henk was the friend you wish for everyone.

Find your own Henk and enjoy each other.

The pain I feel now is the happiness I had before. -C.S. Lewis

Luc Brunsveld is a Professor Chemical Biology at TU/e. The views expressed in this column are his own.