RICHARD SOMMERFELD
AUGUST 12, 1929 – JANUARY 27, 2022
Our loving Husband, Father, Opa, Uncle and friend to many, Richard Sommerfeld passed peacefully on January 27, 2022 with loved ones at his side. His last 14 months of his life were spent at Riverview Health Centre in their dementia ward. Even in his illness he was a kind, gentle soul who impacted those who lived and worked there.
Richard is predeceased by his parents Johannes & Wihelmine, brothers Emil & Gerhard and sister Aline. Along with his sister-in-laws Pauline and Inge and brother-in-law Eckhardt
He is survived by his wife of 69 years Pauline, his children Juergen (Ronalee), Harry (Annie), Karin (Jack) and Ralph (Daunna). His grandchildren Tyler (Lucy), Sean, Megan, Ariana (Anton), Ryan, Drew. His great grandson Emmett and many nieces and nephews.
Richard was born on August 12, 1929 in Mannsburg, Romania. His family moved to East Germany in 1940 and then to West Germany in 1946. He met the love of his life, Pauline Layher at a New Year’s Eve dance in 1950. They were married May 24, 1952 and their first son Juergen was born in Feb 1957. With a one year old baby in tow they immigrated to Winnipeg, Canada in April 1958. The plan being to live in Canada for only 5 years and move back to Germany they lived in Pauline’s parent’s house in an upstairs apartment. Another 2 kids came (Harry and Karin) and the apartment got too small and so they finally bought their first house and moved in December 1962. The 5 years came and went and another child was born in 1966 (Ralph).
In Germany Richard was an apprentice as a brick layer and in construction as a supervisor. Moving to Canada and not knowing the language, he went back to school and worked as a maintenance mechanic for many years and finished his career with the Manitoba government doing maintenance in all the government buildings. He was a man who was more than what he did for a living. He always helped others in any way he could. He was the to go to painter, wallpaper installer, anything mechanical or electrical for his family and friends. He did family and friends tax returns for years. He was a lover of numbers, history and maps. He loved to travel especially by car. Many family vacations were all across Canada and USA by car.
If you knew him at all you would know he knew every date in this obituary by heart as well as people’s birthdays and the history about them. He left each of his children a gift of his past and our past. We have dates and history of our family dating back to the 1800’s. He had a sharp mind for numbers and loved to work on crossword puzzles and loved to watch hockey and soccer (he played the sport as a teenager). He was a man who was true to his word, a man of integrity, a gentle man, with a soft heart who would do anything for his family.
His faith was quiet but part of who he was. He left with a smile on his face no doubt to see those he hasn’t in a long while. Well done good and faithful servant you are home.
We will miss you and cherish our memories. Until we meet again, for you it will feel like seconds and to us an eternity. We love you
In lieu of flowers please donate to:
Riverview Health Centre
Unit AB1(Dementia Unit)
One Morely Ave
Winnipeg MB R3L 2P4