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Walter REDEKOP Obituary
1938 - 2017
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Wally Redekop on Thursday, April 20, 2017, at the age of 79. Beloved husband and best friend of Chris (nee Olech) for 55 years, father of Marcella Redekop, grandfather of Christine Whitehouse, the light of his life, (James Bigstone) and Benjamin Lough, grandpa the great to Lyndon and Starla, brother-in-law to Dianne and Allan Rae, brother of William Redekop, Ruth Sapinsky, Helen Dueck and Lois Dyck (John) and uncle to several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Benjamin and Anna Redekop.
Wally was born in Herbert, Saskatchewan. After completing his education at the University of Saskatchewan, Wally embarked upon a Soils and Research project in Fort Simpson, NWT, which is where he and Chris met and married. He then undertook assignments in Tanzania, two years with Canadian University Services Overseas (CUSO) and five years under the auspices of the External Aid Office, which evolved into the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). This led to a career at CIDA headquarters that stretched over some 36 years of continuous engagement with projects and programs across many disciplines of Agriculture in 26 countries of Africa, South America and Asia. Managing CIDA's Agriculture program in China was his sole preoccupation over a 15 year period until his retirement in 2006.
Wally devoted energy, passion and firm commitment to his work. He simply loved what he did. His great zest for living life to his fullest and a lifelong love of travel and adventure made him the unique individual that he was.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to all those who provided so much support and words of comfort to help us through our loss. Special thanks to the staff at the Queensway Carleton Hospital for their professional and compassionate care. Friends may pay respects at the
Capital Funeral Home & Cemetery
3700 Prince of Wales Drive
613-692-1211
Tuesday, April 25, 2017 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, April 26, 2017 after 10:30 a.m. A Celebration of Wally's life will follow in the Chapel at 12 noon, reception to follow. In memoriam donations may be made to the Salvation Army or to any charity of your choice. Condolences and Sharing Memories at www.arbormemorial.ca/en/capital.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
21 Entries
Richard Best
May 24, 2017
Very sad news to hear my cousin Wally and best childhood friend has ended his worldly mission. As kids we were inseparatable and spent many hours getting in and out of trouble. Condolances to Chris and Marcelle.
May 11, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Chris.
Stuart & Joyce
Grandpa ( the great ) and Starla
Christine Whitehouse
May 9, 2017
Christine Whitehouse
May 4, 2017
Grandpa , your the best grandfather anyone could ever ask for .. your strong , independent, loyal,smart,funny,and so much more ...many good weekends and celebrations that we have spend together is something I will remember forever .. I miss you so much but tears can't bring you back . Your in heaven now and in my eyes you will always be with us. Xo till we meet again .. heaven needs a hero and your that's hero forever and always xo RIP GRANDPA WE LOVE YOU
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Angela Keller-Herzog
May 2, 2017
So sad that Wally's time with us has come to an end. I had the priviledge of working with him on the CIDA China Program and will always remember his dedication, drive, sense of humour and optimism. Truly he made a difference.
Marcella Redekop
April 30, 2017
My deepest condolences to my mother and Aunts and Uncle. I am proud to be named a REDEKOP and proud to say I was and always will be his daughter. I will always remember my Dad as a strong man with good family morals and strong work ethics. I remember once as a small child in the summer my Dad was rebuilding the back retaining stone wall and he was holding a very large stone when a wasp landed on his nose and he couldn't drop the stone so he watched the wasp sting him as he continued carrying the stone. If you ask me that shows patience, strength, and just enough courage and insanity to take on adopting a handful of a child like me. He was my hero! I love my Dad... Until we meet again.
Benjamin Lough
April 30, 2017
Honestly, life will never be the same. My grandfather was an amazing, loving and encouraging role model. His strength was an inspiration to me. I remember how he and my grandmother would go through pictures and slides of their travels. He brought images of places thousands of miles away to not only relive these memories but, to share them as well. Have an amazing slumber, I miss you.
Alen Mao
April 26, 2017
Wally was a great man and a great mind. When I was with the China-Canada Integrated Dairy Cattle Breeding Project (IDCBP), one newly hired young Canadian veterinarian was asked by our Project Director, Dr. J.C. Rennie, to speak to me about working with Wally. She asked, I was told that you and Wally get along very well; what is it that I should do? I replied, It's not what you do, but what you think, because Wally knows what you think. She asked, How would you know that? I replied, it takes one to know one. Wally was a dear friend; I had his name (and Chris) on the same page with of all of my relatives in my prayer book, and I prayed for him for years. He will be missed. I know he is smiling down from heaven reading about this.
When the IDCBP concluded in 2004 after 11 years of endeavoring (in 22 provinces, cities, and autonomous regions in China), Wally gave a speech at the Canadian embassy in Beijing. I was asked to help with interpretation for a few Canadian speakers (into Mandarin), and I interpreted for Wally. He said, The IDCBP was the best Project ever launched by CIDA in China... Later, the First Secretary spoke; he said, Mr. Mao, I need to correct you in your interpretation of Wally's speech; he did not say that the IDCBP was the best project ever launched by CIDA in China; he said that it was the best project CIDA ever launched world-wide. If you say so, Wally, but the team couldn't have made it so without you!
Deepest condolences to Chris and family!
Brian Pearson
April 25, 2017
Dear Chris,
I met Wally at CIDA where we worked together on the procurement components of his projects in Asia. We went on to become good friends outside the office. I admired him for his fine work, but most of all for his personality He will be dearly missed by us all.
Brian
Julie Waterhouse
April 25, 2017
Marcella & Mrs. Redekop, I'm so very sorry to hear of Mr. Redekop's passing. My thoughts are with you.
Herb Wiebe
April 24, 2017
I am saddened by Wally's passing, Wally and I were childhood, school and university buddies, in fact,. best friends. We had many good times together and have many fond memories. My thoughts and prayers are with Chris and the family.
Peggy Johnson
April 24, 2017
Dear Chris and family, we were so saddened to hear of Wally's passing. We got to know him during his afternoon pint at the local. He was always a wonderful source of knowledge and a great story teller of your adventures. He will be missed. Peggy & Pierre
Stephen Gibbons
April 23, 2017
I knew Wally as a highly motivated and dedicated professional and learned a lot about agriculture and development working with him.He will be sorely missed.Condolences to Chris and the family.
Emily Rempel
April 23, 2017
My heart goes out to Wally's family. Waslly was one of my classmates in Herbert High School. Wally was a high achiever, and all his classmates benefited from his inquisitive mind and good sense of humour. He will be missed.
April 23, 2017
April 22,2017. Very saddened to hear of Wally's passing. I have great memories of working with him in Asia and Africa. Sincere condolences to the family. Nicole Chartrand-Tresch, St. Petersburg, USA
Bruce Howard
April 22, 2017
So very sorry to hear that Wally had passed away. I knew him well in his last years at CIDA as we worked on China projects together. He was one of a kind, never the typical bureaucrat and a giant in his field, respected in so many countries. He was all that is good in international development and in the former CIDA.
Sharon Pogue
April 22, 2017
Dear Chris:
I was very sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved
husband Wally.
Sincere condolences to you and all the family.
Sharon Pogue
David Christensen
April 22, 2017
I knew Wally from 1971 and worked for him on projects since 1976 in Africa and China. He was an important influence in my life and he had a huge impact on thousands of people world wide. My last conversation with him was only six weeks ago. Missed greatly.
Paule Parent
April 22, 2017
I offer my sympathies to Wally's family in these difficult times.
Paule Parent
Former CIDA employee
Rachel Beriault
April 22, 2017
Dear Redekop family, I was extremely saddened of the passing of a good friend and colleague. Although we did not work directly together, I was often invited to lunch with him along with my good buddy Maureen. Wally was a great, funny and caring man. May the good memories and times spend together surpass the grief you are feeling now. RIP my good friend, till we meet again.
Henry Fast
April 22, 2017
I was saddened by the news of Wally's passing. I accompanied Wally on numerous trips to China and always enjoyed working with him. My sincere condolences to the family.
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