Reiner "Tom" Zuidema, 88, of Urbana, passed away Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016 at his home. An informal visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m., Friday, March 11th, 2016 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel & Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana.

Dr. Zuidema was born May 24, 1927 in Haarlem, Netherlands to parents Lambertus Ellerus and Trijntje (Zweers) Zuidema. He married Louisette Wachter in May of 1959. She preceded him in death January 23, 2013.

Survivors include children: Paquita Zuidema (Brian Mapes), of Coral Gables, Florida, Annegien Zuidema, of Rockland, Maine, and Lucho Zuidema, of Brighton, England. Tom is also survived by grandchildren: Andrew, Luis, and Leo Zuidema. He was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings. Dr. Zuidema received his Ph.D. in Holland before coming to the United States. He originally studied Indonesian social sciences, but after Indonesia became independent, focused on South American anthropology instead and also studied in Spain. He moved his young family to Peru in 1964 and taught three years at the University of Ayacucho. Thereafter, he joined the faculty of the University of Illinois at the newly established Center for Latin American Studies in 1967. He continued fieldwork in Peru with his students every summer, until retiring in 1993 from the Department of Anthropology and becoming Professor Emeritus. He remained active in his profession until his death. Most recently he was excited to have a coffee table book published in Peru.

Tom was a talented violinist and had a deep appreciation for classical music. He loved to travel, still visiting Peru and The Netherlands within the last year. He and Louisette also travelled extensively abroad and within the US and loved to entertain. He was truly a man of the world. He lived fully in the present and continued to plan future adventures to his end. He will be sorely missed by more people than any one person can know.

As a Gemini Tom felt he had a twin in Heaven even while alive.

Condolences may be offered online at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.