Obituary of Klaus-Dieter Schmidtke

To view the livestreamed service, please CLICK HERE

Passed away peacefully with family by his side on Friday, February 2, 2024 at the age of 70.

Klaus will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Barb (née King), daughter Shannon Gingrich (Kevin), son Ryan Schmidtke (Melinda), grandchildren Joshuah and Cody Gingrich, and Oliver, Maya, and Simon Schmidtke, brother Peter Schmidtke (Penny), sisters-in-law Karen Yardley (Jim), and Jill King, brother-in-law Jeff King (Meredith), father-in-law Willard King, and many nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by his parents Edith and Ferdinand Schmidtke, mother-in-law Betty King, and brother-in-law Kevin King.

Born in Wiesbaden, Germany on May 20, 1953, Klaus moved to Canada at a young age. He lived in Owen Sound, Walkerton, Hamilton, and eventually settled in the KW area. He was very active with scouts, track, skiing, football, judo, wrestling, and many other outdoor activities. He was also an active member of the Elmira Lions Club and the CRA Social Planning Committee.

He received his PHD in Civil Engineering at the University of Waterloo, and from there, went on to work at Conestoga Rovers & Associates, where he retired. He spent his retirement working as a school crossing guard, and at the New Dundee Trout Farm, as well as enjoying life at the Cottage. Cottaging has always been part of his life, with campfires, fishing, chopping wood (in his safety crocs), and socializing in the lake with dogs and friends.

Klaus was diagnosed with cancer in February, 2023, and made a point of living his remaining months to the fullest. Special thanks to the staff at Chapman House for their compassionate care.

Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Friday, February 9, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Memorial Service will take place in the chapel of the funeral home on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 1:00 p.m., followed by a reception in the Fireside Reception Room. 

Condolences for the family and donations to the Grey Bruce Hospice (Chapman House) may be arranged through www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.