Image supplied by Ted VanAsseldonk / July 31 / Art Lengkeek also known as “The Happy Hiker’—hiked up Mt. Thom for his 90th birthday.

By Laurice Gomes

Birthday Hike

Chilliwack senior celebrated 90th birthday by tackling Mt. Thom

Jul 31, 2022 | 3:33 PM

CHILLIWACK — Art Lengkeek is a well-known Chilliwack community member who is known as “The Happy Hiker”—Lengkeek turned 90 years young today (July 31) and strapped on his boots to hike up Mt. Thom with friends and family.

Lengkeek’s longtime friend, Ted VanAsseldonk, proudly spoke of the birthday boy’s tenacity and his caring nature.

“To me, it didn’t really matter how far he went,” VanAsseldonk said. “It was a matter of that he had the drive to get up in the morning and say, ‘It’s my birthday, I want to go for a hike, and I want to do something I can remember.’”

Guests who came out to celebrate ‘The Happy Hiker’ met at a bench, decorated for the occasion, at 10 a.m. Sunday morning.

“Today he didn’t hike right to the top, he went to his favourite spot that he would like to go and sit at all the time when he’d go up there, just on a regular day,” VanAsseldonk said.

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Image supplied by Ted VanAsseldonk / July 31 / Right to left, Art Lengkeek and Ted VanAsseldonk.

On his 88^th birthday, the City recognized Lengkeek’s commitment to the health of local trails with a plaque on a bench—the same bench decorated for his 90th birthday.

“He did a lot with the City as far as organizing trail cleanups, trail adjustments, and suggestions,” VanAsseldonk remarked. “Let’s say there’s a council meeting in Chilliwack, he’s the first one to show up there with a letter to say ‘This is what we need.'”

VanAsseldonk was pleased the City recognized what Art put into all the trails to make them better and safer for use.

“Usually, you have to be in a coffin before you can get your name on a bench,” he said laughing.

VanAsseldonk said a touching moment today on the hike was when his friend remarked on a tree that was no longer there.

“On the way down, Art had said, ‘There used to be a tree standing over there, and it didn’t look very healthy. So, I used to think to myself, I wonder who’ll be standing longer—me or that tree,'” VanAsseldonk said, as he remembered the moment fondly.

Lengkeek was a realtor by profession, and has advice that he lives by:

“If you can run, run. If you can hike, hike. If you can walk, walk. Just keep moving.”

Image supplied by Ted VanAsseldonk / July 31 / Lengkeek on his 90th birthday hike.