Herbert DRECHSLER

DRECHSLER, Herbert David
Of Vancouver, BC passed away due to flu complications on January 4, 2014 in Seattle, Wa. His loving wife Linda Lehr and his family were at his side. Herb was born March 4, 1929 in Chicago, Ill. His parents were Pearl and Max Drechsler. Herb graduated from Crane Technical high school where he studied metallurgy. Herb 's father had wanted his son to be a pharmacist but Herb was more interested in mining and engineering so he went to study at the Montana School of Mines, in Butte, Montana. Tuition at the time was $37.50 for two terms. Herb graduated in 1952 and went to work for Anaconda Copper Mine as a mining engineer sampling particular veins and doing measurements. Herb then worked at the Armour Chemical Co. in Chicago. This is where he met his first wife Carol Whitmore. He moved to Michigan where he worked for White Pine Copper as a shift boss. There the mine shaft went under Lake Michigan which was dangerous. Carol joined him in Ironwood and they were married in 1954. Soon after, Herb and Carol moved to Leadville, Colorado where their 4 children were born. In Leadville, Herb worked at the Resurrection Mining Co. taking ore samples. When the ore ran out, he started working for the Climax Mining Co. in Climax, Colorado in an entry level position. After several promotions he assumed a senior position in New York City with the American Metal Company. Herb evaluated and made recommendations regarding the value of mines worldwide. He was particularly proud of discovering an ore site in Western Australia which is now known as the Whaleback Mountain mine - one of the world's largest iron ore mines. Herb's 6 months of traveling a year was taking a toll on his family. Herb decided to change careers at 38 years of age so he could spend more time with his family. He went back to school to advance his education and received his PHd at Columbia University in NYC in 1972. Herb moved to BC to become a UBC professor in the field of international business. He eventually started his own consulting firm called HDD Consulting. Herb's first wife Carol died in 1985. In 1986 Herb married his second wife, Linda, whom he had met at the Jib Set sailing school. Herb was a gregarious and kind hearted man with multiple interests: sailing, skiing, golfing, motorcycling, cooking, wine tasting, going to Canuck games, attending the opera. Herb also focused on stocks and financial investing. Herb cared deeply about growing his knowledge. Reading was a passion whether the book was a mystery novel or an in- depth study of aspects of his Jewish heritage. Travel was especially important to Herb and he was proud to have visited all of the world's continents except Antarctica. With retirement, Herb's desire to travel increased so much that his family would say, "he is never home." In recent years Herb and Linda discovered the fun of cruising which made long distance travel easier and more enjoyable. Herb is survived by his wife Linda, his children, Michael, Brian, Alan and Lisa, his sister Julie Richman, and his beloved granddaughters, Amber, Carly and Rachel. A celebration of Herb's life will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at the False Creek Yacht Club, 1661 Granville St, Van. BC.