Death of a Forum Member

Post by **b.loree** » Wed Jul 08, 2020 10:57 am

I just received a PM this morning informing me, that one of our longtime members Karel Van Bosstraeten has passed away. I was sent this information from one of our members who in turn received a message from Karel’s wife. We don’t have any further information as to cause of death. Karel had a fantastic collection and will be sorely missed by us all.

verdun16 · Post by **verdun16** » Wed Jul 08, 2020 11:03 am

now Adler is Flying high…
RIP
verdun16

Zebedeus · Post by **Zebedeus** » Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:34 pm

I'm so sorry hearing about this incredible loss. He shared many pieces of his marvellous collection and a lot of knowledge on this forum. Even if i never meet him in person his pursuit of perfection and top condition helmets was an inspiration for my collection. May he rest in peace. My sincerest condolescences to Karel's family.

911car · Post by **911car** » Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:45 pm

I was thinking just yesterday that we had not heard of Karel/Adler for a while. He was one of the most inspiring collectors and the author of many of the most exciting posts on this forum; such a high exigence for quality!
Very sad news.

coert65 · Post by **coert65** » Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:57 pm

My sincere condolences to his family..
Karel will be missed by many, I always enjoyed seeing hs many posts, in which he shared much knowledge, and a most beautiful collection.

Rest In Peace Karel..

ww1czechlegion · Post by **ww1czechlegion** » Wed Jul 08, 2020 1:36 pm

That is incredibly sad news to hear. My deepest condolences to his family.

Like Bruno mentions, I had also noticed that Karel had been quiet/absent here for quite some time. His excellent depth of knowledge and generosity in sharing with fellow collectors will be sorely missed.

A few years ago we worked out a trade deal on a couple of ersatz bayonets I had, and I was able to acquire an extra helmet from his collection, a superb quality Saxon 100th Regiment Eigentum helmet which I treasure in my collection.

Rest in Peace Karel.

Best Wishes,

Alan

ww1czechlegion · Post by **ww1czechlegion** » Wed Jul 08, 2020 2:21 pm

I don't think we ever got to see a photo of Karel here.

Here's a nice image of him that I don't think he would mind us seeing.

Rest in Peace Karel.

Francobritishcollect · Post by **Francobritishcollect** » Wed Jul 08, 2020 2:34 pm

What a sad, terribly sad news. Karel was such a lovely man, very knowledgeable and so very helpful. I had a number of email exchnages with him in the past and enjoyed dealing with him.

My sincere condolences to his wife, family and all his friends.

He will be greatly missed here, on Pickelhaubes.com

Alex

Post by **Tony without Kaiser** » Wed Jul 08, 2020 4:30 pm

I am mortified. Gael and I were arrive in Brussels 29 July 2020 to stay a few nights with Karel and family. We were just discussing a week ago that our trip to Belgium was Covid cancelled. Karel and I were discussing a visit next year. This is horrible news.

J.LeBrasseur · Post by **J.LeBrasseur** » Wed Jul 08, 2020 5:28 pm

Just heard from a friend in France as well, sad, sad news.

I heard only 60 years old to boot...

James

JohnM · Post by **JohnM** » Wed Jul 08, 2020 6:03 pm

A very good man, gone way too soon.

Long may he ride!

John

JzPf · Post by **JzPf** » Thu Jul 09, 2020 12:20 am

Sad news, indeed. Condolences to his family
RIP Karel

Dennis

timp_be · Post by **timp_be** » Thu Jul 09, 2020 1:58 pm

What sad news .. at 60 years old!
I always appreciated his interventions and his knowledge, without knowing that he was a compatriot ...
My condolences to his family and friends

timp_be

Jupiter · Post by **Jupiter** » Thu Jul 09, 2020 2:13 pm

Bonjour

Surpris et triste par son décès soudain...

Mes condoléances à sa famille

Post by **Tony without Kaiser** » Thu Jul 09, 2020 3:17 pm

Here is Karel's favourite set. I do not think Karel would mind me posting it here again. A standing Husar from Leib-Husaren Regt. Nr.1 Danzig/Langfuhr) XVII Armee Korps.

Traumstück.

Sandmann · Post by **Sandmann** » Thu Jul 09, 2020 3:39 pm

Sad news ...
My warmest condolence to his family.

Lars13 · Post by **Lars13** » Thu Jul 09, 2020 3:58 pm

A great loss to our forum; my condolences to his family

SkipperJohn · Post by **SkipperJohn** » Thu Jul 09, 2020 9:32 pm

A terrible tragedy.
He will be missed.

John

Pickelhaube · Post by **Pickelhaube** » Fri Jul 10, 2020 5:54 am

Very sad news.

I enjoyed our long talkes about pickelhauben when we saw eachother at the Wavre militariafair.

My condolences to his family and friends.

Jeremy

stuka f · Post by **stuka f** » Fri Jul 10, 2020 7:29 am

I got just informed on a other forum...
Very sad indeed.
My deepest condolences to his love one's.

Met him once, I think it was last year when he came to fetch something he baught, on a very nice Indian.
He will be missed indeed, in many ways.

Amybellars · Post by **Amybellars** » Fri Jul 10, 2020 8:12 am

Sorry to hear about it. I don't know him but I saw all the nice helmets from his collection.

RIP, deepest condolences to his family.

Peter_Suciu · Post by **Peter_Suciu** » Fri Jul 10, 2020 8:32 am

This is very sad news indeed. My condolences to his family.

Truce1914 · Post by **Truce1914** » Fri Jul 10, 2020 1:21 pm

I was not fortunate enough to know him personally, but like so many other collectors of Imperial German Militaria will be, I am saddened to hear of this.I have over many years now enjoyed the images and information he has shared with us all on various Militaria forums. For instance, I remember him doing a potted history, an "all you need to know" about the Stirnpanzer on the WAF that was extremely useful in understanding the different variants and makers. A great loss to collecting community. Always very sad, and quite scary to hear of someone going so young. Best wishes and condolences to his family and fiends.

Sergei1877 · Post by **Sergei1877** » Fri Jul 10, 2020 3:54 pm

Very sad news for me. let rest in peace

Bungo · Post by **Bungo** » Fri Jul 10, 2020 8:11 pm

That is sad news. His collection was an inspiration (and dream) for many of us I suspect.

badener · Post by **badener** » Sun Jul 12, 2020 7:21 am

The world keeps getting smaller. RIP Karel.

pickelhauben · Post by **pickelhauben** » Thu Jul 16, 2020 7:37 am

RIP Karel

Post by **b.loree** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 3:41 pm

I just received another message from the family via a forum member requesting that Adler's family name not be used on the forum. I removed one post from this thread which contained full documentation of that name and other family information. Feel free to express condolences but please respect the privacy of the family.

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