The family of Erhart Koch is saddened to announce that he passed away quietly in Talarico Place on June 30, 2014, at the age of 86 years. He was born just up the lake in Renata, BC on July 25, 1927, loved this area and chose to make this his home for his whole life. In 1947, he moved from Renata to Castlegar, became employed at Cominco in Trail as a millwright and vibration analyst and remained there until his retirement in 1991 after 44 years of service.
In 1971 Erhart married Rose Tyrrell and became the loving stepfather to 5 young children. In addition to his employment at “Cominco” he and his wife opened a gift shop in Castlegar, “Rose’s Boutique” and it was a big part of the family’s life until Rose’s illness and death in 1993. After a few years of quiet retirement, he married Julie Fry and added 4 more stepchildren to his family.
Erhart was a quiet, thoughtful, loving man. He was dedicated to his faith and a lifelong member of the Lutheran church. He was always happily available and capable whenever and for whatever reason to help his family, friends and the Church.
Erhart was predeceased by all of his siblings, Melita (Bill) Fromson, Clara (Bill) Hale, Freda, Art (Mary) Koch, and Laura; his first wife; Rose and grandson, Julien Erhart. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife; Julie, his children; Fawn (Bernie) Kosiancic, Sherri (Calvin) McCulloch, Kellie Tyrrell, Brent & Brenda Tyrrell, Allan (Lenka) Fry, Wayne (Sarah) Fry, Lynn (Tony) DaRosa and Penny (Darren) Cameron. Also his 23 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 3 nephews, Doug (Shirley) Fromson, Fred (Akiko) Koch, Bill (Nesta) Hale and 1 niece Alvina (Rick) Koch Smith.
Services for Erhart were held in the Lutheran Church in Castlegar on July 8, 2014. Our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Vasil for her kind and patient attention to his needs and to the staff of KBH in Trail and Talarico Place in Castlegar for your kindness and gentle care.
Funeral arrangement were entrusted to Bill Strilaeff of the Castlegar Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Erhart’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society, Castlegar Unit, Box 3292, Castlegar, BC, V1N 3H6