Riemer Reinsma (1941-2022)
Dear colleagues and friends,
It is with great sadness that we have to inform you about the passing away of Riemer Reinsma, member of ICOS from the Netherlands and almost a founding member of Joint ICA/IGU Commission on Toponymy and participant of most of toponymic events, where he was known for his exceptional topics. During the most recent event in Madrid this April he talked about “Toponymic rows in (former) geography teaching: What do they tell us about the perception of toponym clusters on atlas maps?”. It was fascinating as always. Riemer, the passionate independent researcher and toponymist died unexpectedly 8 June 2022 while practicing his beloved sport table tennis.
Reinsma studied Dutch language and literature at the University of Amsterdam. Since 1970, he was a lexicographer, editor-in-chief, publicist and advisor on language usage. Since about 2005 he has specialized in onomastics (particularly toponymy, his website). He is an advisor and permanent contributor to the monthly magazine Onze Taal (Our Language).
He will remain in our memories and in our hearts.
