DIETHER PAUL PESCHKEN

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DIETHER PAUL PESCHKEN

April 3, 1931 - January 27, 2025

It is with great sadness that the family of Diether Peschken announces his passing. Loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and friend to many, Diether left us peacefully on the evening of January 27, 2025, in the company of his four daughters and a loving care worker.

Diether was predeceased by his wife Heidi (née Hans) of 50 years, his parents, Oskar and Annemarie (Kuchenbuch) Peschken and his sister Hilde Peschken. He will be sadly missed by his four daughters, Katrina (Dave), Christine (Michael), Wiebke (Doug) and Susan (Adil) and his grandchildren, John, Elliot, Annemarie, Christina, Matthew, Daniel, Joanna and Paul, their partners and his many friends who were so important to him in life.

Diether was born in Cologne, Germany in 1931. When he was about 10, the family moved to Karlsruhe where he completed his high school “Abitur” amidst the chaos of post-war Germany and in the company of about 15 classmates with whom he remained in touch all his life.

Immediately after graduation, he came to North America, first to New York State and then to what is now Brampton, Ontario where he worked on a dairy farm for four years. On a cross-Canada tour in his VW Beetle, he stopped in at the University of Manitoba, and registered for a diploma in Agriculture. Towards the end of his studies, a good-looking, blonde post-doctorate fellow joined the faculty and within a year, he and Heidi were married and soon started on their “four-leaf clover” - their four daughters.

Life took them back to Germany where he did his PhD in Entomology at Universität Göttingen and then to Belleville, Ontario where he joined the research arm of Agriculture Canada, his employer until retirement.

In 1972, the family moved to Regina, brought back to life an old house that was home for 40 years and built a life of friends and community. Amongst the many causes and organizations, he engaged in, together with Heidi and Sunset United Church, he supported Eritrean refugees arriving in Regina and enjoyed being embraced by this community in return.

Diether was a passionate gardener, loved the natural world and was a staunch advocate and practitioner of conservation. As part of his ethos of enjoying life, he had many interests - cycling, tennis, canoeing, bridge and music to name a few.

Around 2000, it became apparent that Heidi was suffering from Alzheimer’s. Diether committed to keeping her at home for the duration of this long good-bye and provided her with loving, patient and thoughtful care making it look easy despite the enormous challenge.

After Heidi passed away in 2010, Diether made the difficult decision to leave Regina and move to Winnipeg to live with his daughter Wiebke and family. This arrangement allowed him to live out his life with what he loved best: being with family. Second best was a glass of red wine - if he could combine the two, so much the better.

We will miss his love of laughter, wisdom, kindness and keen observations about life that all combined to bring joy and positivity to any conversation.

The family wishes to acknowledge the excellent care received from staff at The Key (especially Robert, Ella, Ligaya, Emmanuel) and at Deer Lodge Personal Care Home - thank you for your loving and generous care of our dad.

A funeral service is planned for February 15, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., Westworth United Church, 1750 Grosvenor Avenue, Winnipeg followed by refreshments. The service will be streamed on the Westworth United YouTube Channel for those that wish to attend remotely. https://www.youtube.com/@westworthunitedchurch8433/streams

In lieu of flowers and in honour of Diether’s commitment to nature, donations may be made to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, EcoJustice, Westworth United Church or a charity of your choice.

NEIL BARDAL

FUNERAL CENTRE

204-949-2200

neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 01, 2025