Hubert Zandstra

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Hubert George Zandstra, beloved husband, father, Opa, and pioneering figure in global agricultural development. Hubert passed away after a long struggle with Parkinson’s, leaving behind a legacy that touched lives across continents and generations. Born in Makassar, Indonesia, on October 28, 1940, Hubert’s early life was marked by displacement during World War II, as his family endured the hardships of internment camps under occupation. These challenging experiences deeply influenced his character, instilling a resilience, empathy, dislike of violence and a drive to contribute to a better world – especially for people in developing countries.
Hubert’s journey took him from Indonesia and the Netherlands to Canada, where he completed a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Agronomy at McGill University. During his time at McGill he met his wife and life partner, Ilse. He then pursued his Ph.D. at Cornell University in 1971, focusing on how soil chemistry influenced crop yields and resilience. This set the stage for a career dedicated to improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, initially in Colombia where he focused on engaging the rural farmer in scientific and technological decisions that impacted their livelihood, and later in the Philippines and Peru, where he championed an interdisciplinary systems-based approach to agriculture research.
Hubert held pivotal roles, from leading research at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, to serving as the Director General of the International Potato Center (CIP) in Peru. Through this all he was most in his element getting his hands dirty and working side-by-side with farmers and their families to find new ways to enhance their lives and livelihoods.
During his 14-year tenure as Director General of the International Potato Center (CIP), Hubert guided the institution through a period of profound challenges and transformation. Amid political unrest and the violent Shining Path insurgency, he remained steadfast in his commitment to improving food security for rural agricultural communities. Under his leadership, CIP emerged as a global leader in sustainable root and tuber crops—work that continues to impact global food systems today.
His unwavering commitment to CIP was evident even after enduring a traumatic hostage experience during the 1996 Japanese Embassy crisis in Lima. Despite this ordeal, he returned to lead with renewed purpose. In recognition of his exceptional contributions, he received numerous honors, including the Order of the Sun of Peru, the country’s highest civilian award, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Caldas in Colombia.
Yet to those who knew him well, Hubert was far more than his professional accomplishments. He was a loving husband, a caring father, and an Opa who was always up for an adventure. He was a man of quiet kindness. Thoughtful, measured, and deeply present, he often waited until others had spoken, and when he did speak, people listened. His words were carefully chosen. He often followed them with a conspiratorial smile and an easy, gentle laugh.
He loved sharing stories, especially with children, about his adventurous childhood in the tropics. These included sneaking mangos from unguarded trees; making homemade fireworks from saltpeter; and, perhaps not coincidentally, being disciplined by a stern uncle. His sons fondly recall the time he spent building balsa wood model airplanes with them or leading fishing trips on rough B.C. roads, the family car loaded with gear and a boat strapped questionably to the roof.
Hubert’s love for travel and adventure remained undiminished throughout his life. He cherished time outdoors, wandering through the woods, or stopping on a long walk with his wife near the cottage in Ontario to examine an interesting plant. He approached life with a blend of curiosity and an appreciation for simple joys – flying a kite, and eating french-fries, beer and ice cream were always welcome.
Hubert is survived by his wife, Ilse, two sons, Peter and Andre, their partners Nancy and Megan, and 5 grandchildren, Eden, Maya, Stella, Anna Sabine and Willem. His memory and legacy will live on in their hearts, as well as in the fields of smallholder farmers who continue to benefit from his life’s work.
A funeral is planned for December 20, 2025, at 10am at Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Parkinson Canada.