In Memoriam 1992-1997/Lex Meerburg

In Memoriam 1992-1997 Lex Meerburg

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LEX MEERBURG

Knight of Bahá’u’lláh 1925–1996

Our hearts were grieved to learn of the passing of Knight of Bahá’u’lláh, distinguished servant and pioneer of the Faith, Lex Meerburg. We lovingly pay tribute to his devoted labours together with his dear wife to establish the Cause in Dutch New Guinea and to his lifelong steadfastness in the path of service. Be assured of our prayers in the Holy Shrines for the progress of his soul throughout the realms of eternity. Kindly extend our deepest sympathy to Elly Meerburg-Becking, members of his family and friends.

the Universal House of Justice July 23, 1996

Lex Meerburg

On July 15, 1996, at the General Cemetery in Zaandam to pay their last respects to Hector Alexander "Lex" Meerburg were friends from The Hague, Amsterdam, and Zaanstad—three communities that had meant much to him.

Lex and his dear wife, Elly Becking, belonged to the first followers of Bahá’u’lláh in The Hague. The public meetings initiated by the American pioneer Eleanor Hollibaugh were where they first encountered the Faith and each other. When the first Local Spiritual Assembly of The Hague was formed in 1952, Elly was part of it. Lex followed her and joined the Faith two years later.

Elly, who had grown up in Indonesia, was then working at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing and Food Supply and offered to be transferred to Dutch New Guinea (Western New Guinea) at a time when it was still a virgin territory for the Faith. She departed with a three-year contract and an engagement ring from Lex.

The Guardian hopes "that, in the near future, your future husband will decide to join the ranks of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh, and will lend his reinforcement to your teaching activities." A year later they were married by proxy. Lex changed jobs and entered the service of the ministry, taking up a post that enabled him to leave for Hollandia (presently Jayapura City) in Dutch New Guinea with a three-year contract as well. Shortly thereafter Lex became a Bahá’í.

Their joyous time in Dutch New Guinea, during which their only daughter, Monica, was born, lasted only a few years because of political unrest. From the remotely situated house that they had built, they continued

[Page 329]to reach out and teach, thanks especially to Elly’s command of the Malaysian language.

Returning to the Netherlands in 1959 the work of establishing a home and a normal life in Amsterdam during a period of postwar scarcity and housing shortages was a challenge for them. They served as members of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Amsterdam, then moved to the locality of nearby Diemen, where they were the first Bahá’ís. They lived there for many years before moving to Koog aan de Zaan in 1978. In 1994 Lex and Elly gave their support to the formation of the Spiritual Assembly of Zaanstad, even though Lex had to struggle with various ailments. On July 9, 1996, Lex passed away rather suddenly at the age of seventy-one years. He had been happily married to Elly for more than forty-two years. Let us remember Lex and Elly in our prayers, thankful for that which they have done for the Faith.

Lottie Tobias