J.C. Van Diepen, who raised a large family in Scotts Valley, died as the result of an accident Sunday, Dec. 11. He was 60.
Born in Holland to Jack and Mary Van Diepen, Mr. Van Diepen graduated from Soquel High School in 1969. He earned a bachelor’s degree in ornamental horticulture from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. Following two years of agricultural advisory work in the high mountains of Peru, Mr. Van Diepen received a scholarship to North Carolina State University where he would earn a master’s degree in soil science. He then returned to Peru, this time to the Amazon River basin, for two more years of work in agricultural development.
A 10-year period as an executive for multinational seed-producing companies gave rise to Mr. Van Diepen’s interest of organic tomato production. In 2002, his lifelong passion for agriculture came to fruition when he founded Cedar Mills EcoFarm in Pioneer. Beginning in 2004, he and his staff produced certified organic tomatoes in a 150,000 square-foot state-of-the-art greenhouse.
Mr. Van Diepen is survived by his three children, Chantine, David and Mark Van Diepen of Dordrecht, Holland; his mother, Mary Van Diepen of Scotts Valley; and seven brothers and sisters, their spouses and many nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Hildy Van Diepen, in 1983, and his father, Jack Van Diepen, in 2001.
A funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 17, at Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church, 26750 Tiger Creek Road, in Pioneer.
