Cornelius “Neil” DeKoker, the longtime automotive executive and founder of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association, died Oct. 8 at 83.

DeKoker’s cause of death was not disclosed.

DeKoker was born in Nieuw-Vennep, Netherlands, before coming to the U.S. at 8 years old with his family. He earned degrees from the General Motors Institute, now Kettering University, and Michigan State University.

He joined GM in 1962 as an electrical engineer, rising to director of business systems as one of the 99 original employees who created the now-defunct Saturn brand in 1985.

DeKoker left GM that same year to become a vice president of planning for Canadian supplier Magna International, where he would become senior vice president and vice chairman of its exterior systems subsidiary Decoma International.

After stints with the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association of Canada, The Woodbridge Group and MascoTech, DeKoker founded the Original Equipment Suppliers Association in 1998.

The trade association became the preeminent representative of the automotive supplier sector, where DeKoker not only served as industry advocate but as a universal voice for the sector.

“The automotive supplier community just lost a giant,” Dan Sharkey, partner at law firm Brooks Wilkins Sharkey & Turco, whose client list is largely auto suppliers, wrote in a LinkedIn dedication to DeKoker. “No matter the battle, Neil always led the fight. But he was always polite, always chuckling; the iron fist in the velvet glove. No one did more for suppliers than you, Neil.”

DeKoker retired from the OESA in 2013, becoming president emeritus — a role he held until his death. He also served as chair emeritus of the board for the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor as well as board member for the Automotive Hall of Fame, Kettering University, and the Japan America Society of Greater Detroit and Windsor. He was board director for Cadillac Products Automotive Co. and Advanced Technology Emission Solutions Inc.

DeKoker is survived by his wife, Karen; sons Greg, Scott and Todd; sister Kathy Ridout; brother Hubert DeKoker; and five grandchildren.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Neil & Karen DeKoker Scholarship Fund at Kettering University or to pancreatic cancer research.

A celebration of life for DeKoker will take place next summer in accordance with his wishes.