FUHRMAN: Gunter Otto. How do you sum up someone’s 94-year life story in just a few sentences? Our Dad moved on to a better fishing pond on December 3rd, 2018. He had a long and productive life crafting many memories and making tons of friends along the way. Our Dad was 14 years old when the War broke out in Europe. He was the youngest of 15 children, born in a small Village in Germany. During the war, he suffered great hardship and famine – like many of his family, neighbours and friends. He was captured a few times in POW camps before he turned 21. At one camp he won over 2500 other prisoners in an ongoing chess tournament and was crowned Chess Champion. He escaped that camp but was recaptured in 1944 in France and placed in another POW camp where he was sent out to remove land mines; he also faced grave starvation there. He says when the Red Cross nurses came to the camp – most of the other prisoners were already dead in the bunkhouse and he thought that the nurses (with their white outfits and hats) were ‘Angels’ taking him to heaven.
After he recovered he went on to play professional soccer in Europe. During those times if you were a professional soccer player, your payment was a job. He was sent to work in a factory and that is where he met Heidi. They both wanted to leave Germany and were married on August 21 of the same year and 9 months later – Mike was born. Our Dad applied for 3 visas. The Canadian Visa came first – so he hopped on a ship with $15 in his pocket and in 1951 he landed in Montreal, Quebec; our mother followed months later with Mike.
Our Dad was a quick study and soon worked as a machinist/millwright in various industries; he also traveled the world installing safes and locks (for Chubb) in many banks and prisons. Our sister Gabriele was born and later another daughter was born, Dani. The whole family moved to BC in 1969 and settled in Port Moody. Our Dad worked for many years with Inter-Pro Contractors as their General Foreman and although some folks in the industry may not have agreed with his leadership methods – he was always on time and on budget. Dad was well respected in the industry by his colleagues and workers – highly recognized for his smarts, ingenuity, logic and great work ethic.
As the years flew by, our parents moved from the Lower Mainland to Peachland – where they would retire, become snowbirds and enjoy retirement. Our Mom became ill and our Dad looked after her for many years until she died.
Our Dad was sharp as a tack until 2 days before his heart just couldn’t beat on – so as his health was failing he was still able to prepare us for his departure and seemed very much at peace. Forever optimistic and generous – our Dad will forever live on in our hearts.
Mike (Josephine), Gabriele (Larry) and Dani (Josh) will miss him so much. as well as a plethora of grandkids, great grandkids, cousins, nieces and nephews. His close friends Al, Monika and Moose (and many more) will always remember his sunny disposition and the excitement that he radiated when they visited him – enjoying good wine and so many laughs together.
A celebration of life will be held in the early summer where both Dad’s and Mom’s ashes will be joined together and scattered at a spot overlooking the Okanagan Lake – where the sun always sparkles in the waves and the rainbow trout swim freely. We hope that Dad’s got a line in the water, a wine in his hand and the love of his life beside him. A Celebration of Life announcement will be published in the Peachland News in the coming months. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com . Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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