For at least half a decade, Buderim's famous 'waving man' stood at one of the suburb's busiest roundabouts with a beaming smile and enthusiastic wave to morning and afternoon commuters.
Peter Van Beek's death this week has triggered an outpouring of grief and sadness among the Sunshine Coast community to which he brought so much joy for so long.
"To see Peter down there at that roundabout, waving and smiling, made you feel like he was doing it just for you," said Buderim mother Karen Rodgers.
"He had a special way to make you feel special.
Mr Van Beek's family announced on social media that he passed away on Sunday "peacefully in his sleep".
The Dutch-born 88-year-old had been in a Sunshine Coast hospital since suffering a stroke in April.
"[The family] would like to sincerely thank the community for all your warm wishes, cards and support. We are truly humbled by it," they said.
The news triggered an outpouring of love and gratitude for a man who brightened the days of many with a simple smile and wave.
"I'm thankful that when he first suffered his stroke so many people made/sent get well cards to him so he knew how much happiness he brought to the community. The roundabout should be named after him. Vale Peter!" — Yvette Elliot
Teenager Jorja Robertson said interacting with him on the morning commute was a highlight.
"The first time I saw Peter was my very first day of year 10 at a new school, I was so nervous," she said.
"I remember feeling this instant wave of happiness as soon as I saw him smiling and waving.
Community sends love
After his stroke, friend Angela Britz rallied the community and became a central drop-off point for more than 80 "get well" cards which she delivered to the family.
"And when he retired, he just couldn't sit still so apart from reading his books, getting out there and seeing all the children in the morning and in the afternoon, Monday to Friday — rain, hail or shine — that made his day.
Ms Britz met Mr Van Beek about three years ago and would take her children to his home at Buderim, enjoying "tea and biscuits" with him and his wife Margaretha.
Throughout their friendship she helped him fulfil his wish of securing National Geographic editions to add to his collection.
She said he kept a list from 1986 and would edit the list as copies came in. She found him more than 100.
Every day, her family looked forward to approaching the roundabout.
"You kind of look out for him, put the windows down, get ready to toot or go around the roundabout a few times," she said.
Cherishing the simple moments
The roundabout where Mr Van Beek stood was metres from the Matthew Flinders Anglican College, where he was loved by children and staff who'd see him on their daily commute.
"His cheery smile and kind ways I believe was one of the reasons that so many of our students and our staff enter the college grounds each and every day with a smile," Trudi Edwards, the school's head of primary, said.
She said students would be supported to work through their grief, but also encouraged to appreciate and learn from his legacy.
"That simple acts — a wave, a smile — can be such a positive thing in the lives of others," Ms Edwards said.
"To know that it is within those simple moments of human connection where everyone benefits."
Ms Edwards said in due course the school community would offer support to the family and in the meantime were "very grateful for his cheery smile, happy wave and his connection" over so many years.
Calls for roundabout tribute
As the community grapples with Mr Van Beek's death, some locals have called for a permanent tribute at the roundabout where he once stood.
Buderim mum Kirsten Boud, who said the drive to school had been "a little less magical of late", is one of them.
Sunshine Coast Councillor Ted Hungerford said Mr Van Beek was a "cherished member of the local community and inspired others to be kind".
He said the council's thoughts were with Mr Van Beek's family and friends at this time.
Requests for a memorial, tribute or renaming of the roundabout should be directed to the Sunshine Coast Council.
