July 13, 1934 - August 12, 2023
Gerhard was brought up on a farm north of Berlin, Germany. He was the second youngest of ten children, and after the Second World War, his father was taken away by the Russians, never to be seen again. At the age of 16, Dad escaped from East to West Germany. He became a miller but never practiced his skills. At the age of 19, he was persuaded to immigrate to Edmonton, and after about 2 years, he ended up in Prince Rupert, where he lived for 30 years.
Dad got involved in the Scout movement in Prince Rupert and worked with them for many years. After our mother, Mary, passed away in 1984, he found love again in Maureen and moved to England to marry her in 1987. With the arrival of grandchildren, they were drawn back to Canada in 1994.
For the last two years of his life, Dad struggled with dementia, and God finally took him home to be with Him.
With loving hearts, our family gathered to celebrate the author of our lives on August 21, 2023. Throughout Dad's 89 years, he lived a kind, caring, generous, adventurous, and curious life.
Dad spent decades giving to others and writing about his life's adventures. We will forever be grateful for the legacy of his words and advice through the many books he and Mum published together.
He is dearly missed and remembered by Maureen, Gerry (Camilla), Gordon (Ellen), Ellen (Gary), and Christine, his grandchildren Mariel (Mike), Madeline (Ben), Dani, Matthew, Carter, Braeden, Jacob, Ben, and great-grandson Wes.