Ferdinand (Fred) Ruprecht

August 17, 1925 - February 1, 2025

In loving memory ~

Ferdinand Ruprecht was born in Bremerhaven, Germany, the middle of three children, and grew up in Danzig (now Gdansk, Poland). At 18 years old (1943) he was drafted into the German army. After one year in Italy, one year on the Eastern Front, and fleeing across land on foot, Ferdinand was miraculously still alive and in a British POW camp. After being set free, he reunited with his family in Lübeck and went to school to first become a bricklayer and then a building engineer.

In Lübeck, a young lady on a bicycle caught his eye. One day he summoned up the courage to follow her, and introduced himself to Eva Röhl while waiting with her at a train crossing. Over the next two years, Ferdinand and Eva's acquaintance grew and love blossomed. They married in November of 1952, and immigrated to Winnipeg, Canada several months later where he became Fred. They were going to start a new life in the wild west.

A few challenging years later, Fred finally settled into a good job as a structural engineer. Three daughters (Karin, Irene, Ingrid) were born, a house was bought, and the years were filled with church, family, hobbies, pets, and the outdoors. Camping, hiking and canoeing with family were mainstays. Nature & church were his passions. Woodworking, taking/developing photos, and reading were among his many hobbies. He was a man of creative talents in writing, poetry, drawing, singing, and pretty much anything that required working with his hands. Curious about most everything, he loved nothing more than to pursue some topic or ask questions of friends and strangers alike. He was always willing to lend a helping hand where needed.

After retirement, Fred & Eva fell in love with Creston, B.C. and resettled themselves among its orchards and mountains where hiking and traveling filled their older years. Graduations, weddings, grandchildren and great-grandchildren followed. Fred continued to hike along lakes and ocean shores, and up into the mountains, following his passion and curiosity of the wild. Eva, his great love, was ever there, as was his devotion to God and church. Even at 99, he still walked up the hill to his favorite bench overlooking the beautiful Creston Valley.

After a short downturn in health, Ferdinand peacefully passed away with Eva at his side singing and holding his hand. His life was full and blessed.

He leaves behind Herbert, his brother; Eva, his wife of 72 years; 3 daughters with their husbands; 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 2:30 pm in the Creston Seventh-Day Adventist church.