William Bernhard Redekop

October 15, 1930 – March 1, 2018

William Redekop passed away peacefully at home following a recent diagnosis of bladder cancer. Bill was known for being a teacher, a thinker, a world traveler, and a lifelong learner. Always one to choose the scenic route, Bill enjoyed his journeys and the company of those who shared them, particularly if there were good conversations along the way. Bill (or Willy, as he was known to some) was born in Chilliwack, the second of seven children, and grew up in Sardis and on the family acreage in Aldergrove. He graduated from M.E.I. and attended Mennonite Brethren Bible College in Winnipeg where he met his future wife, Junko. After graduating from Waterloo Lutheran College, Bill moved to Japan where he and Junko were married in 1959 before returning to Canada. Bill taught in Prince George and completed his master’s degree at U.B.C. Bill and Junko eventually settled in North Vancouver where Bill taught social studies and geography at Argyle Secondary School. Following early retirement in 1985, Bill took a teaching position at Aichi Gakuin University in Nagoya until full retirement in 1998. Pre-deceased by sister Elfrieda and brother David, Bill is survived by his loving and faithful wife, Junko, and their three children and families: Ken and Astrid Redekop (Élan); Naomi and Dan Schmidt (Jason and Kayden); Tami and Michael Copland (Iain and Lauren).

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 7th at 1:00 PM at Killarney Park M.B. Church, 6426 Kerr Street, Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to either the Mennonite Central Committee or to the Vancouver Airport Chaplaincy.