Herb Lange of Duncan died December 29, 2015. He was 86 years old.
Herb was born September 13, 1929, to Alma and Emil Lange in Makowiec, Poland. He was the last survivor of their many children. Herb was smart, hardworking, adventurous and funny. Above all, he was a devoted family man who will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
After World War II, teenaged Herb moved to Freiburg, Germany where he worked as a labourer. In April 1954 he boarded the Seven Seas for Canada. Herb arrived in Quebec and settled in Ontario to work for a farmer, Cyril Jack. Herb became fast friends with Cyril’s son Bryce, who helped Herb learn English and adapt to life in Canada.
In 1956, Herb moved to Duncan to be close to his cousin Otto (wife Adolfini). He moved into the “stagecoach barn” on Third Street and took an apprenticeship with A.V. Richardson Construction. Herb thrived in the construction field and became a sought-after carpenter; much of his handiwork remains today around southern Vancouver Island in various houses, apartment buildings and hotels.
Herb loved to be outdoors. He was a skilled hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed taking his children and grandchildren mushroom picking on the weekends. Herb also enjoyed tending to his garden and fruit trees, winemaking, puzzles, and long evenings playing crib.
Herb and his wife Erika were married for 52 years and enjoyed a full life together in the house he built on Miller Road. Their home was always open to family and friends and was a memorable centre of holidays and gatherings over the decades.
Herb is survived by Erika and by his children Gary, Brigitte and Mark (Roslynn). Herb has seven grandchildren: Nicole, Curtis, Nicholas, Richard (Brittany), Alicia (Travis), Ashley and Tyler. Herb met his great grand-daughter Madison in the weeks before he passed.
Herb’s family thanks Pastor Paul Roggow for his many visits and spiritual guidance. Herb’s family also thanks Doctor Janke and the nursing staff at Cowichan District Hospital for their attentive and gentle care of Herb in his last days. Herb did some carpentry work in the existing hospital many years ago, so in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation to help build a new facility for the valley.
A funeral will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2015, at 12 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2704 James Street, Duncan. Following the service, Herb will be interred at Mountain View Cemetery at 6493 Somenos Road. The family invites everyone back to the church for light refreshments and time to reconnect and celebrate Herb’s life.