by Carol Schachet

I first met Hans Koning 10 years ago, when I was a new staffer at RESIST. Like many of the Board members whose faces were far less familiar to me than their names, Hans’ reputation preceded him-smart, politically savvy, occasionally difficult, charmingly personable. As one of the founders of RESIST, Hans cared deeply about the organization, and at this time of loss, the feeling is most certainly mutual.

Like many of my generation (40-somethings), Hans Koning burst into our lives during what was called “America's Quincentennial,” the 500-year anniversary of Columbus' so-called discovery of America. Columbus: His Enterprise — Exploding the Myth, published originally in 1976 and released again in 1992, exposed the heart and soul of imperialism and exploitation upon which America was built. This powerful book remains on the reading list of school children throughout the United States, and in many ways has altered how generations view the country's history-opening the doorway to radical political analyses and questioning the myths and lessons of authority.

Born in Holland between the World Wars, Hans survived the German occupation and joined the Dutch Resistance and the British Liberation Army during World War II. The war was a vital event in his life. He wrote later, “Looking back on it, I am glad I lived through two years of German occupation of Holland (before I escaped to England). I think it taught me about how the darkness of towns felt in the Middle Ages, why Jane Austen's heroines made a point of traveling when the moon was full or nearly, how people used to live ‘one day at a time,’ how cold it really is in winter.”

His history impacted his writing and his politics deeply. Hans authored more than 40 books (both fiction and non-fiction), as well as numerous articles, including many for the Resist Newsletter. He was one of the original signers of “the call to resist illegitimate authority” and served on RESIST's board for many years. Speaking of RESIST's 40th anniversary, he sent a note to the office in mid-July saying, “I'll be happy to join the celebration.” His spirit will be there, and will be celebrated as well.

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Carol Schachet has been the editor of the Resist Newsletter since 1995. Hans forgave her for accidentally making him “German” by dropping the “n” from his last name in a byline–just one lesson among many learned from RESIST's founders.