Johannes Verlinde, 67, of State College (College Heights), went to be with the Lord on Friday, March 6, 2026.
Born on January 8, 1959, Hans was the son of the late Leunis and Miep de Kraker Verlinde. On August 19, 1989 he married Terri Colleen Verlinde, née Pierce, who preceded him in death on March 30, 2022. He was also preceded in death by his son, Krin. He is survived by four of his children, Anneke Stewart (Scott), Kris (Mayra), Katrina, and Maarten Verlinde; five siblings, Corry van der Walt (Dries), Anneke Vincent (Rodney), Rieneke Verlinde, Kim Verlinde (Ronelle), and Trudi Schoeman (Jan); and two grandchildren, Hudson and Noa Stewart.
Born and raised in Pretoria, South Africa, Hans came to the US and earned his PhD in Atmospheric Sciences from Colorado State University in 1992. In 1993, he joined the Penn State University Department of Meteorology, and over the course of his 28 year career as a Professor of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences he served as a researcher, educator, mentor, and contributor to the field of observational meteorology. An avid cyclist, he biked or walked to work year round. He had a lifelong thirst for travel and explored all seven continents. Notable adventures included living on an Antarctic research base in 1983 and cycling South America from top to tip in 2025. Hans was an active member of Oakwood Presbyterian Church, where he engaged in international student ministry and served on annual trips to repair and restore homes in rural West Virginia with Impact WV. He was hardworking and humble, living simply but giving generously to those around him.
Funeral services will be limited to the family. A public memorial service will be held at Oakwood Presbyterian Church, 1865 Waddle Road, State College, PA 16803, on Sunday, March 29 at 3pm, with streaming available at https://oakwoodpca.org/live
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Oakwood’s fund for the Impact WV ministry by clicking here or by sending checks to Oakwood Presbyterian Church (memo line: “Fairmont, West Virginia”).