Help Henrik Put His Brother Rob to Rest
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My brother Rob travelled to the Philippines this year as he has for the past 17 years. He became ill and passed away only one day before I arrived to be with him.
We have sustained considerable costs which include his hospital stay; medications; the effort to get his death certificate from the hospital; etc. And these costs have exceeded our financial situation at the moment.
Please take just a few moments to read the history below. It has been written with a sad heart but with the knowledge that Rob had experienced such great joy in Palawan in the last number of years.
The brief history of my brother, Rob Nielsen
- by Henrik Nielsen.
Rob was a traveler. Through the course of his life, he visited more than 50 countries. His experiences are varied and his stories captivating. He has kayaked in Central America, the Queen Charlotte's, and the Philippines. He has cycled in North America, Europe, and Australia -- even in Pakistan, although he admitted he wasn't too thrilled with that trip.
For the last 17 years, he was drawn to only one place, the Philippines. In particular, a beach resort on Palawan Island. He wintered here annually, found love, and cultivated many friendships, especially the owners of the resort, Thelma and Toby Clark.
It was here in Puerto Princesa that he became sick and passed away on April 29, 2019, in the Co-op Hospital in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
It was during his third visit to hospital that I was finally informed and I traveled the next day. But he passed while I was enroute.
After my initial grief, I knew arrangements were needed. Our choice was to have his remains cremated and to spread the ashes upon the sea that he so loved.
We tried to have him moved to a funeral home, but of course, there was a hitch - the outstanding hospital bill, which is well over $10,000 CDN.
The funeral home cannot act without a death certificate. The hospital is withholding the death certificate until restitution is made.
And there's more - The Clarks have paid enormous amounts for medications and other incidentals. Apparently, it's less expensive to purchase medications at local pharmacies, have the hospital administer them, than to allow the hospital to purchase medications. She has kept meticulous receipts...they have spent out of pocket another $10,000 CDN.
I asked Thelma, why would she do this?
After all, she had no obligation. "Because he was a friend", was her simple reply with no hesitation.
So the hospital is holding Rob and incurring daily fees for doing so.
We tracked down his pension fund insurance provider and answered lots of questions. Great, a ray of hope!
But, no. Rob had stayed longer than the 90 days the policy stipulated. They searched long and hard for a loophole - and found one.
No insurance.
The case management worker who called me with this crushing news, extended a robotic expression of condolence, and then said, "I know how you feel."
With fury carefully contained, I replied, "Miss, there is no possible way you know how I feel. "
Other avenues approached were death benefits from both the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP), and Rob's union. However, neither of these plans can be started without - you guessed it - a death certificate.
So, we have arrived at this funding plan in the hopes that Rob can be laid to rest properly, and as importantly, the Clarks can be reimbursed for their kindness and generosity.
I return to Canada on May 6, to begin the disbursement of Rob's Canadian assets. The proceeds will be funneled directly into this campaign. As we discharge the hospital bill, the rest of the process of laying Rob to rest will be handled locally.
I wish I had money...but I don't.
Thank you for helping with whatever you can.
Optional reading:
Rob's impact on this community was deeply felt. During my brief visit in Palawan, I retraced some of his steps.
It's easy to see the allure of the Philippines. The local people are happy and friendly. The problem I had with a group of adults and children was trying to figure out which kids belonged to which adults. I couldn't, so I gave up. The 'village' raises the children.
Thelma sent me to the resort she owns where Rob always stayed. A three hour drive and a half hour boat ride. I returned the next day.
But for one day, I stood in the crystal clear water where Rob once stood. I walked on the clean white sand where Rob walked. I looked out over the water seeing small nearby islands I'm certain Rob kayaked to.
The dozen or more staff members greeted me with well wishes and little stories about Rob. He was well liked by all. Jimmy, the boat man, insisted I sit in the steering cockpit with him. He claimed Rob as his good friend. Jimmy said Rob would always bring little gifts for everyone. Rob once gave Jimmy some sunglasses. It was important enough to Jimmy that I should know that.
Returning from the resort to Puerto Princesa, I enjoyed the half hour boat ride to Port Barton where I switched to a local minibus that seated 12. Before the 14 of us boarded, I was twice approached by a couple of terminal workers who asked, "You are Robert's brother?" They all called him Robert. They all knew what happened and expressed their condolences. News travels fast around here. It only deepens the influence Rob had.
I rode back to Puerto Princesa in silence.
My accommodation in Puerto Princesa is two houses away from Thelma's house, convenient for us to meet and go through paperwork. It's also the same pension that Rob stayed at when he was here. They gave me his same room.
Again I am able to see what he saw, feel the air that he felt...and listen to the same damn roosters that live next door!
It's 4AM in the dark of night and those roosters are not quiet. They crow the night through. I'm beginning to recognize their different voices. I wonder if Rob did, too.
Long tracts of time often occurred between visits by Rob. It became commonplace. I would never worry or miss him. He would work for months at a time in Alberta and then visit me briefly on his way to months in the Philippines. A fairly nomadic lifestyle.
But now, the visits have ended.
I'm still not worried...but I miss him.
We have sustained considerable costs which include his hospital stay; medications; the effort to get his death certificate from the hospital; etc. And these costs have exceeded our financial situation at the moment.
Please take just a few moments to read the history below. It has been written with a sad heart but with the knowledge that Rob had experienced such great joy in Palawan in the last number of years.
The brief history of my brother, Rob Nielsen
- by Henrik Nielsen.
Rob was a traveler. Through the course of his life, he visited more than 50 countries. His experiences are varied and his stories captivating. He has kayaked in Central America, the Queen Charlotte's, and the Philippines. He has cycled in North America, Europe, and Australia -- even in Pakistan, although he admitted he wasn't too thrilled with that trip.
For the last 17 years, he was drawn to only one place, the Philippines. In particular, a beach resort on Palawan Island. He wintered here annually, found love, and cultivated many friendships, especially the owners of the resort, Thelma and Toby Clark.
It was here in Puerto Princesa that he became sick and passed away on April 29, 2019, in the Co-op Hospital in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
It was during his third visit to hospital that I was finally informed and I traveled the next day. But he passed while I was enroute.
After my initial grief, I knew arrangements were needed. Our choice was to have his remains cremated and to spread the ashes upon the sea that he so loved.
We tried to have him moved to a funeral home, but of course, there was a hitch - the outstanding hospital bill, which is well over $10,000 CDN.
The funeral home cannot act without a death certificate. The hospital is withholding the death certificate until restitution is made.
And there's more - The Clarks have paid enormous amounts for medications and other incidentals. Apparently, it's less expensive to purchase medications at local pharmacies, have the hospital administer them, than to allow the hospital to purchase medications. She has kept meticulous receipts...they have spent out of pocket another $10,000 CDN.
I asked Thelma, why would she do this?
After all, she had no obligation. "Because he was a friend", was her simple reply with no hesitation.
So the hospital is holding Rob and incurring daily fees for doing so.
We tracked down his pension fund insurance provider and answered lots of questions. Great, a ray of hope!
But, no. Rob had stayed longer than the 90 days the policy stipulated. They searched long and hard for a loophole - and found one.
No insurance.
The case management worker who called me with this crushing news, extended a robotic expression of condolence, and then said, "I know how you feel."
With fury carefully contained, I replied, "Miss, there is no possible way you know how I feel. "
Other avenues approached were death benefits from both the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP), and Rob's union. However, neither of these plans can be started without - you guessed it - a death certificate.
So, we have arrived at this funding plan in the hopes that Rob can be laid to rest properly, and as importantly, the Clarks can be reimbursed for their kindness and generosity.
I return to Canada on May 6, to begin the disbursement of Rob's Canadian assets. The proceeds will be funneled directly into this campaign. As we discharge the hospital bill, the rest of the process of laying Rob to rest will be handled locally.
I wish I had money...but I don't.
Thank you for helping with whatever you can.
Optional reading:
Rob's impact on this community was deeply felt. During my brief visit in Palawan, I retraced some of his steps.
It's easy to see the allure of the Philippines. The local people are happy and friendly. The problem I had with a group of adults and children was trying to figure out which kids belonged to which adults. I couldn't, so I gave up. The 'village' raises the children.
Thelma sent me to the resort she owns where Rob always stayed. A three hour drive and a half hour boat ride. I returned the next day.
But for one day, I stood in the crystal clear water where Rob once stood. I walked on the clean white sand where Rob walked. I looked out over the water seeing small nearby islands I'm certain Rob kayaked to.
The dozen or more staff members greeted me with well wishes and little stories about Rob. He was well liked by all. Jimmy, the boat man, insisted I sit in the steering cockpit with him. He claimed Rob as his good friend. Jimmy said Rob would always bring little gifts for everyone. Rob once gave Jimmy some sunglasses. It was important enough to Jimmy that I should know that.
Returning from the resort to Puerto Princesa, I enjoyed the half hour boat ride to Port Barton where I switched to a local minibus that seated 12. Before the 14 of us boarded, I was twice approached by a couple of terminal workers who asked, "You are Robert's brother?" They all called him Robert. They all knew what happened and expressed their condolences. News travels fast around here. It only deepens the influence Rob had.
I rode back to Puerto Princesa in silence.
My accommodation in Puerto Princesa is two houses away from Thelma's house, convenient for us to meet and go through paperwork. It's also the same pension that Rob stayed at when he was here. They gave me his same room.
Again I am able to see what he saw, feel the air that he felt...and listen to the same damn roosters that live next door!
It's 4AM in the dark of night and those roosters are not quiet. They crow the night through. I'm beginning to recognize their different voices. I wonder if Rob did, too.
Long tracts of time often occurred between visits by Rob. It became commonplace. I would never worry or miss him. He would work for months at a time in Alberta and then visit me briefly on his way to months in the Philippines. A fairly nomadic lifestyle.
But now, the visits have ended.
I'm still not worried...but I miss him.
Co-organizers (3)
Laurence Putnam
Organizer
North Vancouver, BC
Henrik Nielsen
Beneficiary
DIane Beaton
Co-organizer
Dave Beaton
Co-organizer