Johannes “Joop” Catharinus Nagtegaal, 78, of Drift Road in Westport, Massachusetts, passed away on November 30, 2025.
Born on November 10, 1947, in Warnsveld, the Netherlands, Joop was the son of Jan and Machtilde Nagtegaal. He studied at the University of Twente, where he met the love of his life, Hendrika “Ria” Nagtegaal. They were married on June 5, 1970, beginning a partnership that would span more than five decades and many continents. Shortly after, they moved together to Providence, Rhode Island, where Joop earned his Ph.D. in Engineering from Brown University in 1972.
Joop and Ria were devoted travelers, always curious about the wider world. From the Galápagos Islands to the roots of ancient trees at Ta Prohm in Cambodia, they sought out places rich in history, nature, and wonder. Many of these journeys began or ended in Amsterdam, where they wove time with family and old friends into their travels, keeping their Dutch roots close no matter how far they roamed.
Later in life, after his children had left home, Joop turned his attention to the sea. He approached sailing as he did everything else: with quiet rigor, scientific precision, and a deep respect for the forces at work around him. What might have been guesswork for others became, in his hands, a discipline—carefully charted, thoughtfully executed, and quickly mastered.
Joop was also a true do-it-yourselfer, long before instruction could be found on YouTube videos or step-by-step guides. He trusted his knowledge, his patience, and his steady hands. Whether he was doing something “small” like replacing the 12hp engine of his Citroen Deux Cheveux or replacing a home’s entire electrical panel, calmly working with street-level voltage, he relied on principles he understood intimately and a confidence earned through study and experience.
Joop is survived by his wife, Ria; his two sons and daughters in law, Bert-Jan & Janel and Maarten & Quinnette; and seven grandchildren, who carry forward his curiosity, integrity, and love of learning. He is also survived by many beloved family members in the Netherlands.
A memorial service is being planned for the spring of 2026.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Westport River Watershed Alliance at https://www.westportwatershed.org/ , the Westport Land Trust at https://westportlandtrust.org/, or the Paul Cuffee School at https://www.paulcuffee.org/