February 7, 1942- June 8, 2015
Ike was born in Gustrow, Germany, on 7 February 1942. In 1947, his mother fled Gustrow, which used to be in East Germany, occupied by the Russian Forces, to Bremen, in West Germany, occupied by the US Forces. The journey continued in 1951, when his mother, brother and his wife, immigrated to Canada. His first stop was in Regina. He attended school there until he joined the Canadian Army on 17 March 1960. He completed basic training at the Queen’s Own Rifles Depot in Calgary. It was difficult for his instructors, as well as his comrades, to pronounce his last name, and as it sounded somewhat like Eisenhower, he was given the nickname “Ike”, which stuck with him. Shortly after graduation, his unit was transferred to Deilinghofen, (Fort MacLeod), Germany, as part of the British Army of the Rhine.
There he met his wife Heidi. Requests for authority to marry, (a requirement by the military at the time), were thwarted. Persistence on Ike’s part was rewarded, and he was finally granted authority to marry. They were wed on 12 June 1962.
Of the 35 years in the military, Ike spent 14 years in Germany (mostly because of his linguistic ability), 8 years in Vancouver, 7 years in Calgary, 3 years in Ottawa, 2 years in Esquimalt, 1 year in Chilliwack, and a short stay in Comox, where he retired in the rank of Master Warrant Officer.
Ike and Heidi had two children, Andy (Michelle) and Corinna, and three grandchildren Tianne, Alexander and Kieran.
Ike enjoyed his retirement in Comox. Unfortunately, his medical condition prevented him from enjoying a more active retirement. He loved fishing the Georgia Strait, where his remains will be spread to the four winds.
Ike was predeceased by his parents, brother Reinhold and sister Valentina.