John Akkermans, who became 65 on july 4th, 1991, started his veterinary career on december 1st, 1952. He contributed in many ways to veterinary science. In the Netherlands many diseases were diagnosed by him for the first time. He had the ability to arouse the interest of many for his findings by writing papers as the sole author. But by stimulating his co-workers even more papers were published of which he was co-author and not always the first one. He was obviously able to follow the developments in veterinary science and animal husbandry without any problems and to create openings when the profession was confronted by problems. He was often involved in diseases of pigs but also in furred animals and ruminants. He was not a specialist in a single species of animal or in a single professional area, but in several fields. Not a specialist, but a more specific veterinarian in the sense that he is unique.