Kees Beenakker (1948-2025): straight-talking innovator in microelectronics

Those who only knew Kees Beenakker superficially might have mistaken him for a blunt man. But his straight-talking attitude – rare in upper management circles – was his unique charm. Beenakker never seemed to take life too seriously, or at least pretended not to. Yet, behind the barbed remarks he so enjoyed delivering, there was a warm and generous human being.

Many who worked with or for him held him in the highest regard. It earned him an enormous network, far beyond the Dutch borders. The Dutch IC industry owes much to both the man himself and that network. He passed away on Saturday, 13 September, at the age of 77, after a brief but severe illness.