AN ORDINARY, YET EXTRAORDINARY MAN
Stanley Wellington van Putten affectionately
known to many as “Tat” was born on St. Eustatius on July 13th 1937
to Rebeccah Albertina van Putten alias "Toko" and Thomas
Pennyfeather. Stanley started out very ordinary in life, after completing his
primary years of school here on the island of St. Eustatius where the
possibility of further education back then was very much limited, at the tender
age of 14 with the molding and in-bedded qualities by his mom, a true woman of
substance, he set out on a path in his life where he had become extraordinary
and successful. Stanley is the proud father of nineteen children and many
grandchildren and great grandchildren. Success can be defined in many ways:
highlighted are the attributes of this man, born and bred on Statia.
Tat, was a government civil servant, he served the Island
government for more than 20 years and the Central government for another 45
years. During his years with the Island government he worked with the
"Antillia", a boat used as transporting goods to Curacao and
delivering goods and food to Statia as well, you could also see him putting up
the night lights for the streets as in that time there were no electricity on
the island. After working in various departments within the island government
he was transferred to the Central government to work as a prison guard and
other areas in the central government as well. Being a prison guard was his long-time
passion as he served there for 45 years, and to this day you will still find
him around the police station on and off. Because of his confidentiality and
reliability Mr. van Putten was many times left alone at the police station
knowing and trusting that he would keep things under control.
Because he is a man who was reliable and always
on point, the Island government did not just let go of this this patriot. Stanley
is a true patriot of Statia, he started hoisting the flag from 1977 and continues
this tradition up to today. Flags are being hoisted in areas such as; government
buildings, at the governor’s resident, Fort Oranje and the police station. Tat
is dedicated! He also rings the bell at Fort Oranje three times daily, 6:00am,
12:00 noon and at 6:00pm, this is also a task that is still carried out under
his name and with the assistance family members, his daughter “Michelle” and
son “Ellis” alias Bonny, the tradition remains and is carried on. This is
something he takes great pride in doing, in fact one of his favourite quotes is
“I was never late, never miss a ring”
Focused:
He knows how to concentrate well, while he
knows he cannot do everything, he received the highest return on the goals he
wanted to achieve by finding his special way in getting them all done in the
fastest way possible in a 24hour period.
Positive
attitude and perseverance:
"Our dad can be defined as a realistic
optimist, because he takes actions and no matter the outcome he always remains
positive and believes that he will be successful as he has given it his all.
Flexible:
He charted many courses in life and has been
successful. He managed his small stocks and deemed very successful in this as
well. With hard work and with a dedicated attitude Tat went on to build houses
of which is still standing today. He is a pusher!
Strong
communicator:
Mr. van Putten is an expert in building
rapport with others and is very good at it. One does not need to know him
because before long they will know about his life story in a nutshell from Tat
himself.
Action
oriented:
If one suffers from procrastination they can
take a page from his life book, one that knows what it takes to rise early and
go to bed late with today’s work fully accomplish.
Confident:
This a badge he so richly wears on his
shoulder, this has helped him through the years to review his successes and
overcome his life failures. Confidence is what led him on, not once, but twice,
to receive medals from both her majesty queen Wilhelmina and her majesty queen
Beatrix. He wears these medals with great pride! On a day like November 16, Statia
Day, if one is walking the streets, down town Oranjestad and came across Mr.
van Putten, be sure he would be well groomed, well dressed and flaunting his medals.
He would jokingly say to you in his colloquial term” I was appointed by her
majesty queen Wilhelmina and her majesty queen Beatrix”.
Brave:
Tat is a brave man, he is a risk taker, he
is one of those persons who has done every menial task possible with great risk
at the expense of his own life to provide for his family. Despite the
many opportunity given to him to obtain a driver’s license, 2 wheels was his
main source of transportation during his years and had become his form of
exercise, one that has help him to retain much of his youthful years and enjoy
good health after his well deserve retirement.
He has had the privilege of seeing many of
his accomplishment displayed in the life of his offspring. A well rounded and balance hero, an extra
ordinary purpose driven hero.
Mr. Stanley Wellington van Putten
May his legacy forever live on.
Quote: “The greatest want of
the world is the want of men – men who will not be bought or sold: men who in
their inmost souls are true and honest: men who do not fear to call sin by its
right name: men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole:
men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall” Ellen White
**This information was helpful with the assistance of family members - Derika Isaac**
