A. Gerhard Scholten, of Collingwood, ON (formerly of Moose Jaw, SK) passed peacefully, surrounded by family, at the Campbell House Hospice in Collingwood on Friday November 15th, 2019, at the age of 91.
He is survived by his loving wife Dicky; his three daughters, Christel (Marcus) Arleen (Stephen) Andrea (Bobby); eight grandchildren, Lauren, Aidan, Mikan, Kiran, Harris, Teddy, Oliver and Petra; 9 brothers and sisters, Herman Scholten, Jo Vanderveen, Dirk (Hantzen) Scholten, Riek Vanderhoek, Bill (Marjan) Scholten, Diny (George) De Vries, Wilma Kuipers, Ina (Dick) Stronks and Roelof (Dini) Scholten; numerous nieces and nephews and extended family. Gerhard was predeceased by his parents Hendrick Willem and Grada Everdina and his two brothers Hans and Hank. Gerhard was born in Aalten, the Netherlands, immigrating to Canada with his parents and 11 siblings in 1949 to farm in Alberta. Gerhard and Dicky (née Hilgeman) were married in 1971 in the Netherlands. Starting off in Bridgeport CT, they later settled in Moose Jaw, SK where they spent the majority of their lives together raising their three daughters. Gerhard’s interest in learning took him around the globe. He studied, worked and taught as a soil chemist in the US and Uganda, an experience he remembered fondly. Over the years he completed multiple degrees, eventually pursuing a career in clinical chemistry. However, his true passion was working for human rights and social justice. He was very involved in the Moose Jaw chapters of Amnesty International and the Council of Canadians which he founded and chaired with Dicky. He was a frequent contributor to the local newspaper on global issues and volunteered tirelessly to help and support those in need, earning the Peace Medal from the YMCA among other awards and honours. Gerhard was a kind man whose gentle heart was felt by those around him. He was a dependable, patient and loving husband, friend and father, and a beloved Opa. Gerhard’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff and volunteers at Campbell House Hospice for their compassionate care as well as to Gerhard’s loving niece Dionne Scholten (Allen) who, along with wife Dicky and daughter Andrea held a constant vigil by his bedside during his final weeks. A Celebration of Life will be held at Trinity United Church in Collingwood on December 7th at 2PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Georgian Triangle https://www.hospicegeorgiantriangle.com/waystogive
Arrangements entrusted to Chatterson Funeral Home, Collingwood.