Posted on: Friday, November 8, 2002

Mayoral staff member Nick Houtman, 39

Advertiser Staff

Nick Houtman

Nick Houtman, a city communications officer and speechwriter for Mayor Jeremy Harris, died Wednesday of viral pneumonia in Olathe, Kan., where he was visiting his parents. He was 39.

Houtman, a graduate of Kailua High School and Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., joined the city government in 1991, after working in civic and government service, lobbying, marketing and media relations, as well as serving on the Kailua and Kahalu'u neighborhood boards.

"He was full of life and great promise," Harris said. "His contributions to the annual State of the City speech were immense because he had great writing abilities. We will miss his enthusiasm for problem-solving."

Houtman is survived by his parents, Ken and Judy; sisters Ann, Elaine and Kathy; grandparents Warren and Lois Graham; two nieces and a nephew.

A memorial service is planned for tomorrow in Kansas. Honolulu services are pending.