Dear friends of mechanical music,  This is to inform you that
Dr. Romke de Waard, judge in Amsterdam, later member of the Dutch
High Court, co-founder of the Kring van Draaiorgelvrienden,
passed away in his sleep this morning at the age of 88.

Apart from the many initiatives which he took for enhancing the
interest for mechanical organs in the Netherlands and worldwide,
he was a good music arranger and composer for many Dutch street
organs.  He wrote several books about mechanical musical instruments,
starting with "From Music Boxes to Street Organs" in the 1960's.
He was president and chairman of the KDV from 1954 until 1984.

Many Dutch street organs were saved thanks to his efforts, and
until lately he was a valuable adviser for the KDV committee on
legal matters.  May he rest in peace.

Hans van Oost,
World Secretary of KDV, Netherlands,
on behalf of the committee.