the flower bed

My father-in-law passed away this morning. He was only 83, but he hadn't been well, neither physically nor in spirit, for quite some time.

There is some confusion as to his exact bio, but the basic facts are that he was raised by his mother and his step-father after his own father was drowned at sea. He didn't realize this till after his mother died, at which time he hyphenated his name in honour of his father.

Raised in Germany, he was sent to boarding school in the Black Forest. As soon as he and his twin brother graduated, they were sent to the army. Walter was captured by the Americans almost immediately, and used as an interpreter and snuck out of the country. A few days after the war was declared over, his twin brother was shot down and killed. Walter received the sixth passport into Canada after the war, where he met and married his wife and had 2 sons.

He worked for B.C. Hydro for most of his career as a P. Eng, continuing as a consultant after he retired. By this time he was divorced and remarried with a young daughter.

His second marriage ended like his first, only in reverse, and sadly, it all but broke him, although it gave him a new relationship with his sons.

He was loved and respected by all who knew him. He leaves behind 2 sons, a daughter-in-law, a daughter, 3 beloved grandchildren, and me.

Rest in peace, Dad.
You will be missed.

Walter/Mike
Feb. 6, 1925 - July 14, 2008.