Kiwanis mourns Trustee Salembier 

Kiwanis International Trustee Vincent G. Salembier of Kooigem, West-Flanders, Belgium, died on Monday, October 30, 2023. He was 71. 

A member of Kiwanis in the Belgium-Luxembourg District since 1989, Salembier was elected to the Kiwanis International Board of Trustees during the 2022 Kiwanis International Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.   

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and fellow Kiwanian, Vincent Salembier,” said Kiwanis International President Katrina Baranko. “Vincent was a champion for growing clubs in Europe and for making life better for children around the world.  

“He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered for his passion and dedication to Kiwanis. Our thoughts are with his family and friends around the world.”   

Salembier founded and served as past president and past treasurer for the Kiwanis Club of Avelgem, Land van Streuvels, and was president of his current club, the Kiwanis Club of Kortrijk. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Centennial Internet Club.  

He served as governor for the Belgium-Luxembourg District in 2006-07 and president of the Kiwanis International-European Federation in 2014-15. He mentored Kiwanis clubs in the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic and the United Kingdom and was involved with training, new-club building, communications, youth services and meeting/convention planning at all levels of his Kiwanis experience. He also received a George F. Hixson Fellowship and a Walter Zeller Fellowship for his support of the Kiwanis Children’s Fund.  

Salembier held a degree in civil engineering in construction and was CEO of a timber company. He served as a mariner in the Belgian Naval Component of the Belgian Armed Forces and as a social board counselor in Kortrijk.  

Salembier is survived by his partner, Linda, three children and five grandchildren.