Kurt Eisenkolb
August 17, 1929 - November 4, 2012
Our dad, Kurt Eisenkolb, passed away November 4 in his sleep after a courageous fight with Parkinson’s and cancer. Kurt was born on August 17, 1929 in Wels, Austria the second of six children. The Eisenkolbs learned to ski before they could walk and spent their summers hiking in the mountains and swimming in Lake Wolfgang. As a young man, Kurt wore out more than one pair of hiking boots and used up many rolls of film chronicling his travels throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and the USA before finally putting down roots on Vancouver Island. It was in Port Alberni where he met the love of his life, Margaret, and in Nanaimo where they settled in 1960 and eventually raised four children. Kurt loved to broaden his horizons through reading, and was a self-taught artisan whose natural curiosity and desire to express the beauty of the world around him resulted in his pursuit and mastery of many skills, including photography, painting, carving, mosaics, lapidary work, pottery and computer graphics.
Predeceased by his parents and younger brother, and his wife Margaret in 2007, Kurt will be missed by his children: Sonya Eisenkolb (Gord Johnson) and grandchildren Garrett, Thomas and Niall; Ralph Eisenkolb (Lori Raines) and grandchildren Stefan and Rachel; Connie Wray (Ray Lapshinoff) and grandchildren Morgan, Bryce and Natalie; Karin Davis and grandchildren Julia and Kai; great-granddaughters Eve and Elena will also miss their Opa. Kurt also leaves brothers Hans (Grand Forks, B.C.) and Klaus (Graz, Austria), and sisters Trudi (Port Alberni, B.C.) and Ingrid (Vienna, Austria) as well as many dear cousins, nieces and nephews throughout the world.
The family is truly grateful to all of Dad’s caregivers for the cheerful and compassionate attention given to him during his final months at home, in the hospital and at Dufferin Place.
Per Dad’s request, there will be no service. If friends so desire, donations in his memory may be made to the Community Hospice Society, NRGH Palliative Care Ward or Parkinson Society Canada.