Willem Hurkmans (Rotterdam is a biologist/geologist who graduated in palaeontology (Utrecht University, 1981). He spent the first half of his career (1983-2003) as a guest worker at Amsterdam University doing research on hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae). Mainly systematics, eg identification and description of newly discovered fly species but also their behaviour.
Starting in 1996 he returned to studying wood and until 2015 worked as an ‘applied wood specialist’, ie not doing fundamental research but practical testing, wood ID for companies and government institutions, and assessing solutions and projects involving wood. He has worked as an editor and translator for many publishing companies, municipal authorities and private persons. Notable publications he contributed to were Handboek Houtdocumentatie and (minor contributions) to the Houtvademecum. Both are published in Dutch. He has also contributed a number of articles to World of Wood where he is an associate editor.
From his father and his uncle, a carpenter, he inherited an interest in wood and has been an active woodturner for 35 years. While still in the Netherlands he was a certified volunteer miller at a windmill that makes oil from linseed: De Passiebloem at Zwolle. Together with his wife Marijke he took early retirement when the chance presented itself and now lives in Neo Chorio (GR 73003) near Chania, on the island of Crete which is part of Greece. Currently he makes ‘natural design’ furniture and restores period furniture and works as a volunteer in several scientific and educational projects. See Facebook/ Anthaea, nature and Culture of Crete.