Copius "Coos" Metting van Rijn

Copius "Coos" Metting van Rijn passed away in Napa, California, on March 3, 2025, at the age of 91.

Coos was born on October 23, 1933, to Kornelis and Elise Metting van Rijn in The Hague in the Netherlands, the youngest of four children. After graduating from high school, Coos served in the Royal Dutch Army, eventually becoming a commissioned officer before leaving the service. After several years working in the travel industry in his native Holland, Coos immigrated to the United States in 1962. He joined his childhood friend Chris Marringa in Vallejo. Chris sponsored him to become a U.S. citizen, and he began work for Chris and Osgood "Ozzie" Hilton at Hilton and Marringa Travel. In the ensuing years, Coos helped Hilton and Marringa expand, opening a branch office in Napa, where he eventually settled.

Coos met Evelyn Coenen-an immigrant from Germany and the niece of Erika Mee of Rutherford-while she was working at the original Hilton and Marringa office in Vallejo. They married in 1968 and had two children, Erich and Philip. In addition to helping raise his children, Coos was active in the Kiwanis club, but eventually directed his volunteer efforts to focus on supporting his children's activities in Napa Fly League baseball where he both coached and served on the board. He was also an avid model train and passenger rail enthusiast, collecting mostly European trains, and he enjoyed traveling back to Europe to visit family and friends and ride on the newest equipment.

In retirement, Coos stayed active as both a volunteer for the Friends of the Napa Public Library and as a driver for the Meals on Wheels program. He also continued to enjoy the company of friends, family, and his community of neighbors, and he and Evelyn often entertained at their home on Dry Creek Road.

Coos Metting van Rijn was predeceased by Evelyn in 2022, and is survived by his children, Erich and Philip Metting van Rijn and their spouses, Trudy Brown and Kim Metting van Rijn; and his grandchildren, Benjamin and Vivian Metting van Rijn.

The family will hold a private gathering to celebrate Coos's life in Little River, where Coos and Evelyn both spent their honeymoon and many of their happiest times together thereafter.

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