FICPI is saddened to report the passing of Willem ("Bill") Schuurman on 11 October 2024 at his home in New Braunfels, Texas, owing to complications related to progressive supranuclear palsy. Bill was a long-standing member of FICPI-U.S. and was a regular speaker at FICPI events, sharing his great expertise in U.S. patent litigation.
Bill was born on June 21, 1940 in the small town of Wakkerstroom in a picturesque corner of rural South Africa. He graduated from Pretoria Boys High in 1957 and then pursued a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at the University of Cape Town. After completing his degree in 1962, he stayed on to complete a law degree with a focus on patent law. Immediately thereafter, he joined the leading South African IP law firm, Adams and Adams, where he soon became a partner.
In 1979, disheartened by the deteriorating political situation in South Africa under Apartheid, Bill and his four young sons emigrated to Houston, Texas. He worked for the intellectual property law firm Arnold, White, and Durkee, moving to the firm’s Austin office in 1983. Bill developed a remarkable record of success in handling patent and trade secret litigations for plaintiffs and defendants and in appeals of patent cases to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Bill retired in 2015, completing a 50-year career.
He showed remarkable bravery and fortitude in recent years, never losing his positive outlook, sense of humor, appreciation of the people around him, or ability to find joy in life. He was a special person who will be dearly missed by the FICPI family.
Bill is survived by his wife Karla, and sons Gregor, Bruce, Angus, and Geordie.