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ELMER LEO KUBER JR.
Born: Jan 05, 1949
Date of Passing: Nov 04, 2020
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ELMER LEO KUBER JR.
BSc (Pharm), MHA, PharmD, Col. (Kentucky)
January 5, 1949 – November 4, 2020
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 47 years, Linda; his daughters, Emma Hladun (Gerald), Kathryn Kuber (Colin Dabisza), and Magda Kuber (Christopher Hamm); his grandchildren, Conner, Andrew, Elizabeth, and Natalie Hladun, James and Adelaide Dabisza, and Mila Hamm; his sister, Frances Kuber (Thomas Schaffer); and many extended family members and friends. Elmer was predeceased by his parents, Elmer Leo Kuber Sr. and Alma Frances Kuber.
Elmer was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a place he kept close to his heart no matter where he lived. Let's Go Flyers! Fly Eagles Fly! Go Phillies! He graduated from Northeast Catholic High School in 1966, where he was a member of the high school marching band. This was the same year he worked his first shift at his neighbourhood pharmacy, Samet's. He attended the School of Pharmacy at Temple University from 1969 to 1972 and was an active member of the Kappa Psi fraternity. In 1972, Elmer came to Canada for a post-graduate residency at the University of Ottawa. He expected to return to Philadelphia, but love changed his plans. Elmer and Linda were married in 1973, and Elmer completed his Master's in Health Administration at the University of Ottawa in 1978. After welcoming their first daughter, Emma, in Ottawa, the family moved to Newcastle, New Brunswick, where Elmer was the Administrator, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of Pharmacy of the Miramichi Hospital. In Newcastle, they welcomed their second daughter, Kathryn.
In 1982, the family of four, moved to High Level, Alberta where Elmer was the Regional Executive Director of the Northwestern Health and Social Services Board. In 1984, the family welcomed their third daughter, Magda, and they returned to Linda's home province of Manitoba. Elmer served as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Selkirk & District General Hospital from 1984 to 1997. After a few years of medical recruitment and consulting, he returned to his love of pharmacy and completed his Doctor of Pharmacy in 2000. After working with Linda at Shoppers Drug Mart in Selkirk, Elmer managed the pharmacies at Deer Lodge Centre and Misericordia Hospital. He then spent the last years of his career as a pharmacist at Stonewall Pharmacy. This was his favourite pharmacy of all, because he was allowed to wear his Hawaiian shirts to work.
Elmer was an avid collector. He had many vast collections, including ukuleles, music, and model trains. His most favourite collection was his family. He considered himself lucky when everyone was together. He especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren play hockey, ringette, and baseball. Elmer was extremely generous and was always thinking about others. He supported many artists, independent businesses, and non-profit groups.
Elmer was active in many organizations throughout this life. He was a Rotary Club member in Newcastle, NB and a Lions Club member in High Level, AB. In Manitoba, he was an active Freemason and Shriner, and a volunteer with Job's Daughters for many years. In 1987, Elmer was the Mayor of the U.S.A. Pavilion in Winnipeg's Folklorama multicultural festival. He also volunteered as an inspector for the festival. In 1995, Elmer was a founding board member of the Selkirk & District Community Foundation. In 2005, he became a member of the Selkirk Model Railroad Association. Elmer enjoyed his Monday evenings at the train club with his son-in-law, Chris. He turned his love of model trains into a love of 1:1 scale trains, purchasing a Speeder with his friend, Gerry, and becoming a member of the North American Railcar Operators Association (NARCOA).
One of Elmer's favourite designations, was his commission of Kentucky Colonel, which is the highest title of honour bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky. This was fitting, given the annual Kuber family tradition of betting on the Kentucky Derby winner. This is just one of many important family traditions that will never be the same without him.
Elmer developed a love for Hawaiian music and was a founding member of the Ukulele Club of Winnipeg. In 2006, Elmer took Linda to Hawaii for the first time, a place she had always wanted to visit. This became a favourite vacation destination for both of them. Elmer and Linda met many wonderful people there who became very close friends, especially the Aloha Joe gang. Elmer enjoyed the music and culture, and considered himself "Hawaiian at heart".
The family would like to thank Dr. Demsas, Dr. Schmidt, and the staff at both Health Sciences Centre and Beausejour Hospital.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the family held a private viewing. A celebration of Elmer's life will be planned in the future when everyone can be together. If you would like to be contacted with details about the event when they are formalized, please send an email to familykuber@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Selkirk & District Community Foundation in Elmer's honour.
Family and friends may sign a Book of Condolence at www.glenedenmemorial.ca
Glen Eden Funeral Home
204-338-7111
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 14, 2020
Condolences & Memories (14 entries)
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To the Kuber family, Elmer was my childhood friend on Thayer Street. My mother and his parents were life long friends until they passed. They were a wonderful family. Elmer was a fun little kid with a great smile. Many a day we played outside with the Thayer street gang of kids. Under the fire plug in the summer. Chalking up the street. Playing games. Trying to build a spaceship with a 2x4 board and a ball-bearing roller skate. The best of times. Little Francis Ann watching us from the porch. We were all a family of neighbors then. My condolences to all! I have an ache in my heart for you. I loved the Kubers and Elmer was a great guy! - Posted by: Audrey Bownes (Neighbor and friend on Thayer Street) on: Aug 26, 2021
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I don't know if it's too late to add a message but I just learned the sad news of Elmer's passing, Elmer and I were little boys together when he grew up on Thayer St. in Philly. I knew his mom (who used to make Hot Dog soup) his dad who worked at Philco designing Television sets and of course his sister Frances who likely will remember me. As little boys we played out on Thayer Street all the time. Back then the only other "Elmer" we ever heard of was Elmer Fudd so we nicknamed him Elmer Fudgesickle, a name which he liked a lot. I went to the Ascension grade school and North E. Catholic high school with Elmer though we lost touch when he moved to Canada but I still occasionally saw his mother or Frances and would ask about him. Elmer played the oboe in HS and once he tried to teach me but it did not work, I remember our very first day at First grade at the Ascension school when Elmer kept yelling I want to get out of this zoint ( he couldn't pronounce the word "joint"). I know we once took the Frankford El, a bus and a trackless trolley to go fishing on the Delaware River. He had this weird spinning rod with the reel built inside the handle. Once when he was about 3 or 4 he put on a suit and tie and married my cousin Andie who was dressed in a make shift white wedding gown and then they went away as Elmer could his little peddle car. Somewhere there's a video of that. So sorry to hear the sad news One of the Good Guys. - Posted by: Michael McCollum (old old friend) on: Aug 23, 2021
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I met Elmer in Ottawa in 2007 and then in Winnipeg in 2008. I am a Hungarian-Canadian pharmacist and we only met for short time, he took me to say hi to his wife at a pharmacy in Selkirk and also spent a bit of time at CPha Conference in Ottawa in 2007 just speaking about pharmacy and his Hungarian roots. I am very very blessed to had those moments with him, he made me realise that I should not stop my interest and my love for pharmacy just because I am an immigrant from a country that is far behind both in its economy, education and mindset to that of Canada. God bless him! - Posted by: Dorottya Kovarcsik (friend) on: Feb 18, 2021
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My most sincere condolences on Elmer’s passing. I met Elmer in the MHA program at U of Ottawa - he was in the the class a year ahead of us. He was definitely the most humorous and helpful from his group, especially with the knowledge he already had in healthcare. I then moved to Yellowknife and reconnected when I moved to Morden, Manitoba. He was the CEO in Selkirk and we had many discussions about healthcare, funding or the lack thereof, and regionalization. What impressed me about Elmer was his love of family, his commitment to serving others, his mischievous laugh and his ability to challenge thinking and options. He always loved being a pharmacist. As I write this I can see his grin. All the best to you. Ray - Posted by: Ray Racette (Colleague, friend and classmate) on: Dec 13, 2020
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Linda, I was so sorry to hear of Elmer's passing earlier this month. Our family will never forget his warm newsy Christmas letters every year. Take care during this sad time. My sincere condolences to you and the girls. - Posted by: Carol Bohn (friend) on: Nov 26, 2020
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Linda, I am so sorry to hear about Elmer's passing. I first met Elmer when he accepted the position of CEO of Selkirk and District General Hospital. We became good friends and worked together extensively. I used to enjoy getting together with him for lunch at the meat market. I always looked forward to his greetings on St. Patrick's Day and I will miss those most of all. "May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again," - Posted by: Doug Machan (Friend) on: Nov 18, 2020
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I worked with Elmer when he sat on the Board of the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA). He brought his experience of governance to the Board and made many valuable contributions. He was remarkably warm and friendly. Always generous with his advice and goodwill. My thoughts are with his family and friends. Jeff Poston, former Executive Director, CPhA, 1999-2013. - Posted by: Jeff Poston (Friend) on: Nov 17, 2020
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Elmer and I were founding board members of the Selkirk & District Community Foundation. Preliminary planning began in 1993 and the foundation was officially inaugurated in 1995. Elmer was Executive Director of the Selkirk & District General Hospital. He generously offered a boardroom in the hospital as a place for our board meetings which were at 7:00 AM to enable Dr. M. I. Hussain, another board member to begin surgery at 8:00. Elmer provided the nine person board with breakfast at the meetings. He was a very community minded man who was always considerate and friendly to everyone. I extend deepest sympathy to Linda and family. - Posted by: Lewis Wasel (founding president of Selkirk & District Community Foundation) on: Nov 16, 2020
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Linda, I am so very sorry to hear of Elmer's passing. I remember going to your wedding 47 years ago. Such a long time ago, yet in some ways it seems like yesterday. Forty seven years together is something to celebrate and cherish. Years full of memories to cherish and hold close. My condolences to you, your daughters and their families. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Take good care of yourself in this very hard time With love Judy (Steen) Unia - Posted by: Judy (Steen) Unia (pharmacy classmate) on: Nov 15, 2020
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RIP in my dear friend. You were like a brother to me. Larger than life. Always there for your family, friends and community. You will be missed by many. - Posted by: Randy Steffan (Friend) on: Nov 15, 2020
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So sorry to hear of the passing of a very special man. Always a smile on his face that a person was so happy to know him. I will miss him at the pharmacy. My deepest condolences to his family. - Posted by: Virginia Jackson (Friend) on: Nov 15, 2020
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Elmer was CEO of Selkirk General Hospital where I worked for many years. He was one of the best leaders. He always walked through all the departments, treated everyone equally, was friendly and listened. So sorry for Linda and the family. He was definitely a special person. - Posted by: Laurine Shone (Co-Worker) on: Nov 14, 2020
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I worked with Elmer for a a few years at the Stonewall Pharmacy. He was always friendly and had a good word for everyone, I am surprised and saddened to learn of his passing. R.I.P. Elmer. - Posted by: Bronwyn Swanson (Co-worker and friend) on: Nov 14, 2020
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I was so very, very saddened to hear about Elmer’s passing. I had the privilege of working with him when he was our Pharmacy Director at Deer Lodge Centre. He was so kind and cheerful, always smiling in the pharmacy. I remember how often he spoke about his family, his girls, he would say. It was so evident how very much he loved you all. The pharmacy world has lost a true gentleman and he will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincerely, Grazia - Posted by: Grazia Prochazka (Pharmacy Co-worker) on: Nov 14, 2020
