We received the sad news over the weekend that Dutch crane and access veteran Dick Schalekamp Senior, founder of Riwal has died.
He passed away on Friday at the age of 95 after a long and active life. He leaves behind his wife Maria and Son Dick Schalekamp Junior. Tragically, his other son Jaap passed away in 2019.
In addition to all his work and family achievements, he was a keen supporter and sponsor of Dordrecht Football Club, which held a minute’s silence in his memory before the game on Friday night with Jong Ajax, which they won. They will also wear black armbands during the season opener.
In 1968 Dick Schalekamp 1968 joined British crane rental company Richards & Wallington to set up its Richards & Wallington International in the Netherlands.
He bought the business out in 1980 after the Richards and Wallington group ran into financial difficulties, and in 1987 entered the powered access rental market, setting up a dedicated division and changing the company name to Riwal. It was around that time that he began working with Doran Livnat of crane company Hovago, who took a stake in the business in 2000 and eventually acquired all of the equity. The company Boels Acquires Riwal (was acquired by Boels in 2024).
In 2007 he was made a Ridder in de Orde van Oranje Nassau ( a Knight of the Royal Order of Orange-Nassau) for his voluntary work over more than three decades during which time he gave his time and financial support to a number of clubs, foundations and charities, all the while building up the business he founded.
Dick Schalekamp was truly a great man in every way and a key player in the Dutch crane and the European aerial lift rental market. The world is a poorer place this week for his passing. He really was one of the good guys. He was always ready with his fantastic laugh, smile and twinkle in his eye, with a great generosity in his heart. His passing will be mourned by many, not only in the Netherlands but across Europe and North America.
See also: 40 years and going strong
We will update this item and publish a full tribute later this week.
