Thanksgiving in Point Grey

Thanksgiving 2012...

Our two Opas

Sharing Electrician Tales with Ewald

Opa sharing a chat and a hug with Ewald and Rosie (2011-10-08) (Album)

1950s Cool in Winnipeg

A favourite of mine (1954? 1955?) from Winnipeg. 

The shades and leather jacket are über-cool.

Britta's UBC Graduation

2009-05-20 at Point Grey (Album)

Smiles all around.

Happy end to Britta's UBC journey.

Celebrating Oma and Opa's 60th Wedding Anniversary - 2009-03-29 (Album)

Sharing a meal with family

Dessert for two?

Looks like it tastes good.

In the living room.

He looks like he's won the lottery.

Bliev Ruhig: Poem by Carl Friedrich Bautsch used in Opa's Goodbye

Bliev Ruhig

Klappt manches Maal nich so,

legg di beruhigt slapen,

een Döör is nu eerstmaal to

un dusend sind noch open.

Hest du Arger, hest du Sorgen,

geiht mennigmaal wat verkehrt,

Hauptsaak du büst klööker worden

un hest daarbi wat lehrt.

Snack wenig aver wahr,

un vör allen Dingen,

wat du köffst betahl in baar,

wat nich dien is, dat laat liggen.

Un sücht dat ut ok maal so slecht,

geiht maal wat daarneven,

dat löppt sik alln’s wedder t’recht,

so is dat nu maal in Leven.

Wu arm is doch de Minsch dran,

maakt sik oft dat Leven schwor,

de nich ok vergeven kann,

argert sik sülvst, dat is doch klaar.

Du leevst bloot eenmaal up de Erd,

een jeder Dag kummt nee,

veel grübeln is de Saak nich wert.

„Bliev ruhig,“ weest Bescheed?

Carl Friedrich Bautsch

12.05.2013

Obituary: Gerd Johann Ratzburg

Gerd Johann Ratzburg

Born: Bremen, Germany. February 26, 1927

Died: Vancouver Canada. October 12, 2013

The family of Gerd Ratzburg is saddened to announce his passing on October 12, 2013, following a lengthy illness. Gerd is survived by his best friend and the love of his life, his wife Hannelore, his sons Wilf (Hanne) and Ralph (Eva) and his grandchildren Britta, Barb, Justin and Angela. He also leaves his sister, Laura (Georg) Kasperczyk and step brothers Hein (Ille) and Herbert (Karin) Böckmann.

Gerd and Hannelore left Bremen, Germany and became one of the pioneering families in the new town of Kitimat. After working with Alcan for many years, they moved to Vancouver where he was employed at the Triumf research facility at the University of British Columbia. Retirement gave him the opportunity to continue to travel and sail extensively with Hannelore; with many trips to Europe and Mexico.

He loved a good debate, a good book and a good wind in his sails. Mostly he loved living in Vancouver and being near the sea. When asked why he never bought lottery tickets, he smiled and replied "I married the most wonderful woman in the world and have the best family a man could ask for. I have already won the lottery." Though Gerd did not believe in an afterlife, we know that Opa's legacy will live on through his grandchildren.




Rest in peace Opa.