In Loving Memory of
Erick Leonard Richter
Sunrise: May 18, 1947 Sunset: June 20, 2022
In his own home as per his wishes, with dignity and courage, his family peacefully said goodbye to a husband, father, step-father, brother-in-law; step grand-father, step great-grandfather, uncle and friend. Born in Winnipeg, Erick grew up an only child on a farm in the Carman, MB area to immigrant parents. While in his teens Erick was predeceased by his mother, Bertha (1964) due to a vehicle accident and by his father, Hellmut (1996) at Patricia Gardens after having moved him from Manitoba to Dryden in the late 80’s.
Erick graduated in 1969 from the University of Manitoba as a Mechanical Engineer and spent 30 years in various positions within the pulp and paper business. An entrepreneur at a young age, he was involved in other business ventures throughout his life including a fishing lodge, apartment block, two motels and numerous other smaller ventures. 2003 was a year of change, leaving his career in pulp and paper, along with he and his wife selling their motel business of 13 years (Timberland). After they managed Eagles Landing golf course for a season, the opportunity arose to become involved in the hardware, lumber, cabinet & countertop businesses (Timbermax); purchasing shares over time, growing the businesses to become full owners; selling and retiring in early 2021.
An intelligent, private man, with a dry sense of humour, whom we often accused of being a procrastinator; he was loved and will be deeply missed by his wife and partner of 30+ years Rena Madden; daughter Shae (Michael); son North (Victoria); step-daughter Shannon (Laurence); sister-in-law Lesley (Bow); sister-in-law Marla; cousin Garry Schwarz (Young Soon and daughter Natalie); nieces Haley (John and daughter Emma); Rheo (Scott and son Mason); step-grandchildren Jessica (Robyn) and Shelby (Daniel); along with step great-grandchildren Kane, Damon, Loki and Ivy; extended family in Germany, along with friends and business associates of northwestern Ontario.
The last few years of Erick’s life were challenging with a late onset Huntington diagnosis and the family appreciated those friends, neighbours and business associates who reached out through visits, emails, phone calls and coffee dates. This end of life journey would have been more difficult without the care and compassion of Dr. Riaan Bester, his assistant Meghan and many other valued health care providers. Cremation has taken place.
A Celebration of Life will be held by family and family at the Dryden Go-Getters (Seniors Centre) on Thursday, June 23, 2022 Gathering – 3:00 pm; Service – 3:30 pm
If friends choose, donations in Erick’s memory can be made to the Huntington Society of Canada or the DRHC Foundation through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden, ON P8N 2X3
Condolences may be posted at www.dcfh.ca or sent to riverwalk@shaw.ca
