Rudolf HECHT

HECHT, Rudolf: With great sadness we announce that Rudolf Hecht of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada passed away September 5, 2025 after a full life at the age of 91. Born June 26, 1934 in Gruenfeld, Russia to Leonidas and Helena (nee Krause). After a tumultuous early life of war and refugee camps in Europe and subsistence farming in Paraguay, Rudy, along with his stepmother and six siblings, immigrated to Canada in 1955. Rudy received a teaching degree in Manitoba from United College and went on to teach math and science in Killarney, Nakusp and Vernon. He met Lesley Margaret Harrison in Vancouver in 1968. After a year-long courtship Rudolf and Lesley were married August 9, 1969. They had two sons, Mark and Paul. Together Rudy and Lesley operated a butcher shop in Tsawwassen until they sold the business and moved to Kelowna in 1976. In Kelowna, Rudy worked for School District #23 until his retirement. Rudolf was a loving husband, patient father, loyal friend, a man of spiritual intrigue, beekeeper, and a host of other titles. The one description that all seem to agree upon and that stands above all else is that he was a man of great generosity. We will remember him drinking yerba maté, doing yoga, drawing honey from beehives, meditating, swinging a larger-than-life chainsaw and forever remaining composed and patient in times of great difficulty. Rudolf is survived by his sons Mark and Paul; grandchildren, Annabelle Miloavsky and Ryan Hecht; his brothers and sisters, Franz Friesen, Susan Dueck, Helene Toews and Alfred Hecht. Preceding Rudolf in death are his wife, Lesley Margaret Harrison; sisters, Else Dueck and Johanna Toews; parents, Leonidas and Helena; and stepmother, Susanna Hecht. A memorial service will be held on October 10th, 2025 in the Vintage Room at the Eldorado Hotel located at 3762 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna from 2:00 pm onward. Food and refreshments will be provided. All are welcome. In lieu of donations, Rudy would have favoured donations to spiritual or physical fitness organizations.