Obituary of Herbert "Herb" LaPier

Herb LaPier at 90 years of age, passed peacefully at the long term care facility of The Village at University Gates in Waterloo, on Friday, January 5, 2024.  Beloved husband of 36 years to Frances LaPier, brother to William LaPier (brothers James and Phillip – predeceased), father to Susan Pietraszko (Carl – predeceased), Debbie Hughes (Ron Dugas), Jim LaPier (Shauna Brown) and Rhonda Reitzel (Stanley), and awesome grandfather to Jeffrey (Alison), Jamie (Alexandra), and Andrew Pietraszko, Rebecca Rosenbaum (Adam), Charlotte and Sophia LaPier, and Jason, Marisa and Kandace Reitzel, and loved by seven great-grandchildren.

Herb was the third of four boys, born to Kathleen and Harold LaPier on August 15, 1933 in Toronto.  He attended Oakville Trafalgar High School, followed by Ryerson Polytechnical Institute where he obtained his Electrical Engineering degree in 1955.  He had a curious mindset and furthered his education by completing numerous business management programs at Northeastern, Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier, Western, Wisconsin and York Universities.

Herb started his career at Electrohome in Kitchener as an Engineering Technician, where he contributed significantly to the company’s growth by fulfilling 14 different roles over 33 years, culminating as V.P. and General Manager of Operations.  One of his past employees commented that as the boss, he “was always so human with his approach to employees.  You never felt like he was talking down to you.  I always felt valued; he was a great leader”.

His business acumen and leadership skills allowed him to hold these additional positions during his career:  President of Electrohome Credit Union, President of Kitchener Toastmasters, Chairman of Consumer Electronics Industries Association, Chairman of Canadian Advanced Technology Association, Chairman of Gensat Communications, Chairman of the Canadian Innovation Centre – Waterloo, and President/CEO/Chairman of Atomic Energy Canada.  Herb also ran his own consulting business, and owned/operated a small cottage resort in Northern Ontario.  Wow, that is a lot!

Locally, Herb was a member of the Kitchener Chamber of Commerce, and the Rotary Club of Kitchener.  He loved playing golf with the many friends he met over the 30 years as a member of Westmount Golf Club.  If you ever played with him, you would have experienced the pain of waiting for him to get the perfect picture of the foursome; he ultimately would develop the photos himself in the dark room housed in his basement.  He had a big heart and liked to have fun, enjoying travel, the Drayton Theatre, his many friends and most of all his family.

So... all of the above is great, right?  Not so fast. Herb’s antics began at an early age, playing ‘Hydro Man’ with his brothers and cousins, you know, where you climb up and saw off limbs at the tops of trees?  Rumours have it that he and his brothers were also responsible for burning down an outhouse.  Enough said - I think we all see the trend here.

We all just loved him – just the way he was – wouldn’t change a thing.  We miss him already.

We would like to thank the staff at University Gates LTC – Downey for their loving care and attention, and a special thanks for the unparalleled care and kindness provided by Claire Brackpool during this challenging time.

Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Saturday, January 13, 2024 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. A private family service has been held. Cremation has taken place.  A private family interment will be held at Williamsburg Cemetery, Kitchener.

In lieu of flowers, condolences for the family and donations to The Working Centre may be arranged through the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com .