Former Tiel Mayor Ed van Tellingen Dies at 88

Ed van Tellingen, former mayor of the Dutch town of Tiel, died on 3 August 2024 at the age of 88. Born on 23 November 1937 in De Bilt, he began his political career with the Pacifist Socialist Party before joining the Labour Party (PvdA). He served as a municipal councillor and wethouder in Zeist from 1970 to 1980, then as mayor of Oud‑Beijerland (1980‑1989) and subsequently as mayor of Tiel (1989‑2002).

During the 1995 high‑water crisis that threatened the Betuwe region, van Tellingen was appointed coordinating mayor for the wider Rivierenland area, overseeing the evacuation of roughly 250,000 residents. He was noted for decisive leadership in emergencies and for pushing reforms in municipal finance and administration. He studied chemistry at Utrecht University and worked as a chemistry teacher before entering politics.