ROTHE, RICHARD, born Dec. 16, 1909 in Annette, a German village in the Ukraine, Russia, passed away Nov. 11, 2005 after a brief stay in Peace Arch Hospital. Lovingly remembered by his wife of 54 years, Inga Rothe. His children: Lilly Kopp, Herbert Rothe, Rosie Sieg (Horst). His grandchildren: Harvey Balback (Hilda), Mark Balback (Cammie), Julie Howell (Rick), Ted Kopp Jr. (Freda), Art Kopp (Cindy), Richard Brinkert (Ingrid), Kerry Brinkert (Tobi), Ross Brinkert (Colby). Great-grandchildren: Michael and Jennifer Balback, Carley and Kimberly Howell, Steven and Jennifer Kopp, Brandon, Michael, and Julie Kopp, Christien and Nicholas Brinkert, Eshen and Sagan Brinkert, Justice Brinkert Johnston.
Predeceased by his granddaughter, Dorothy Kopp in 1978; his brother, Fred Rothe in 1983; nephew, Helmut Rothe in 1983, and daughter, Agnes Balback in 1985.
The funeral will be held Friday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 2350-148th Street, Surrey. Following a luncheon, the internment will take place at Valley View Cemetery, 72 Avenue, Surrey. A viewing will be held on Thursday, November 17, from 7 - 8 p.m. at Victory Memorial Park, 14831-28th Avenue, Surrey. In lieu of flowers, donations to Mount Olive Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Richard came to Canada in March, 1928. He worked on farms in Alberta and the Dominion Glass Factory in Redcliffe, Alberta. There he married his first wife, Marie Faerber in February, 1930. Shortly after they moved to the White Rock area, with great anticipation after purchasing property in the Hazelmere Valley. But the real estate agent had swindled them and there was no property and their savings were gone. Together with two other families, they rented a house near Five Corners in White Rock. Richard was able to find work on farms in the Mud Bay Flats, starting at a dollar a day. The following year Richard and Marie moved onto rental property on Sunnyside Road. Eventually Richard was able to purchase three parcels of land, twenty acres each at the corner of Sunnyside (24th Avenue) and Stayte (160th Avenue). He cleared the land, mostly by hand and built his dairy and poultry farm. For a few years he ran a hatchery and produced baby chicks for his own use and to sell. He also made hay for other farmers in the area. His wife Marie died in 1948. At this time there were four children between seven and seventeen years and his mother at home. His strength and courage kept the family together. In 1951, Richard married Inga Sigvaldason. That same year, his brother, Fred immigrated to Canada from Mexico. In 1961, the news came that the 99 Freeway from the U.S. was going diagonally through the farm. By October,1961, Richard and Inga had to move off the farm. For eight years they ran King George Trailer Park at 8190 King George Highway. In 1971, they purchased The Lions Apartments on Royal Avenue in White Rock and bought their own home in South Surrey. They retired and started going to Mesa, Arizona to Venture Out Trailer Park for the winters. For twenty-eight years, till Richard was eighty-eight, they drove to Arizona. He said, spending the winters there, kept him young and active. Richard was one of the first members of the Surrey Co-op in Cloverdale. He was one of the first directors of the Surrey Credit Union, now Coast Capital Savings. He helped start Zion Lutheran Church in Cloverdale and was an active member in the 1940s and 1950s. He was instrumental in getting a Lutheran Church in White Rock, and was a charter member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church. For ten years he attended Martin Lutheran Church in Vancouver, returning to Mount Olive in 1993.
Richard is remembered for his love and dedication to his family, his caring and concern for others, his determination, and love of life.