Obituary of Donald Erdman

Blessed with a fine mind, boundless curiosity, and beautiful blue eyes. Donald Horace Erdman was born in Stratford, Ontario on the Summer Solstice, June 21, 1930 to the Reverend and Mrs. Horace H. Erdman, Americans sent by the Lutheran Church to minister in Canada. After a long illness, Don left us on May 20, 2011 for yet another amazing adventure. Don was predeceased by his parents, younger brother Paul Emil Erdman, his former wife Ruth Moyer Erdman, and brother-in-law Philip Kress. He is survived by his wife Barbara Putman Erdman of Waterloo, his sister Lois Erdman Kress, and his sons Michael (Rob), Wayne (Barb), Ralph (Evelyn) and daughter Ginny Erdman Ehrlich (Tim). He delighted in his grandchildren Corey and Sarah Erdman (fiancé Dan) and Daniel and Ryan Ehrlich. He was dearly loved and respected by his stepfamily in the States: Pamela Buhler Cox (Corbett), sons C.J. and Garrett Cox, Paul Henri Buhler III and granddaughter Julieanne Barbara Buhler. He is fondly remembered by the Malleck family and a host of friends around the globe on land, sea and in the air. Although Don spent his formal working life at Labatt Brewery in Waterloo, he developed and perfected a myriad of interesting and challenging avocations. A lifetime interest in flying led to his ownership of several planes and many memorable adventures, including flying his own plane the length of the Grand Canyon below the rim - a feat no longer allowed! He was an avid yachtsman; mastering both sail and power boats and teaching Power Squadron courses to aspiring boaters. After his retirement from Labatt's he enjoyed being a charter yacht captain sailing the Caribbean. Friends and family treasure the memory of cruises with "Captain Don". He was an aspiring volunteer engineer on the Waterloo Central Railroad, but ill health prevented this accomplishment. Don was the consummate gentleman whose life epitomized Mark Twain's philosophy: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." The life of this remarkable man will be celebrated on Saturday May 28, 2011 at Mount Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 29 Westmount Road South, Waterloo. Visitation at the church will be from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. preceding the 11:00 am memorial service and reception. Memorial donations to ROOF, benefiting homeless and at-risk youth in the Waterloo region would be appreciated by Don and his family and may be sent to ROOF, 242 Queen Street South, Kitchener ON N2G 1W3.