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Derryl Hall posted a condolence
Friday, May 14, 2021
My condolences to Rudi’s family and friends. I first met Rudi when we were both on the executive of the Manitoba Association of Teachers of English. I admired and respected Rudi as a teacher and as a person. Later our paths crossed at provincial in-services and still later at several drama productions in Winnipeg. As the years went by, we did not see each other often, but occasional meetings gave us a chance to reminisce and share our experiences in our classrooms and in our lives. I have good memories of Rudi and am sorry to hear of his passing.
Derryl Hall
Fellow English Teacher
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Bill McDonald posted a condolence
Monday, May 10, 2021
I’ve just reread Rudi’s very beautiful and interesting obituary. What an extremely talented and contributing individual he was! I met Rudy on a casual basis in recent years when both of us were involved with dropping off and picking up grandkids from school. He struck me as such a smiling, warm, caring and friendly guy — totally unpretentious, which speaks volumes.
I wish his wife and family my sincerest sympathy. Bill McDonald
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Lara Schroeder posted a condolence
Saturday, May 8, 2021
Rudi was one of my Sunday School teachers but I did not know that he worked with my high school English teacher, Coralie Bryant, as well. I became a Sunday School teacher with Rudi and have gotten to know Arik as well. My thoughts are with the family and I wish I could give you hugs of support. The rest of us will see each other again at church but we will be less rich with his absence.
Lara Schroeder
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Mary2g Funk posted a condolence
Friday, May 7, 2021
Dear Sharron and family,
My deepest condolences on the passing of Rudi.
Thank you for this wonderful service. It was a great tribute to this good man. I am happy that I got to know him and I have good memories of conversations we had.
Mary Funk
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Lynda lit a candle
Friday, May 7, 2021
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My sincere condolences to the family. I pray for strength and peace in this difficult time. Lynda (Heide) Penner Vernon BC
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Cora Loewen lit a candle
Friday, May 7, 2021
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Sorry sorry for your loss Sharron & boys. I have such wonderful memories of being at the your farm with all the Engbrecht's. Always wanted to see the chinchilla's. You are all in my thoughts.
Cora
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Cindy Eeson posted a condolence
Friday, May 7, 2021
Dear Sharon snd family , I am so very sorry for your loss. I didn’t know Rudi for very long but felt an instant bind with him when we met . I very clearly remember my father Al Reimer telling me about a phone call he had just received from an old student who wanted to get together for lunch . Why would he want to do that when they had known each other so briefly and so long ago ? I suggested that sometimes , if we were very lucky , a particular teacher could have a profound and lasting impact on us and we might be motivated to reach out to this teacher , even decades later, to thank them . So Dad went for lunch and and for several years thereafter until his death he enjoyed Rudi’s friendship immensely. A few weeks before Dad’s passing , when his dementia had become quite noticeable, Rudi came for a visit with a book of Chaucer’s and asked Dad if he would read a bit of it out loud to us . My Dad proceeded to do so - in perfect Middle English ! Rudi was a very special man and I’m grateful for knowing him .
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Beryl Cohen posted a condolence
Thursday, May 6, 2021
Dear Sharron and family,
My heartfelt condolences. May your memories of Rudi provide you with comfort at this time.
I am grateful that I was blessed to have Rudi as my Grade 12 English teacher. He pulled me aside after my first essay, gave me a stern warning, and told me to come for help. He taught me how to write.
Rudi enjoyed an active lifestyle. As an avid ball player, he’d join me on Beaverbrook St. in March’s frigid weather for some spring training. I’m sure our neighbours thought we were crazy! Who plays catch outside in March in Winnipeg?
On nice winter Friday afternoons, a group of Grade 12 Grant Park students would hit La Barriere Park for an afternoon ski. This time coincided with our English class. Rudi would announce that our novel needed to be read by Monday, and then join us on the trails. (In today’s teaching world this wouldn’t be allowed.) It was wonderful to spend this time with Rudi; everyone’s book was read by Monday because none of us wanted to disappoint him!
I remember on trips back to Winnipeg, I would walk across the street to visit Rudi and inform him of my studies, sharing that I had attended OISE and later Western for my M.Ed. We always ended up talking about pedagogy. He was a brilliant educator, who helped to shape the lives of so many. He was also one of the most humble people I’ve met.
You have my very deepest sympathy.
Beryl Cohen
Former neighbour and student
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Margaret LaPlaca posted a condolence
Thursday, May 6, 2021
My thoughts and prayers are with all the family at this sad time.
With sympathy , Cousin Margaret
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Erika Marand posted a condolence
Thursday, May 6, 2021
When Rudi first came to Winnipeg to study, he lived in the same rooming house as our family on Ellice Avenue. My mother was always impressed with this nice friendly, young man. My brother and I remember him as someone who was friendly and kind to 2 young kids who lived downstairs.
My deepest condolences to the family!
Erika Epp Marand
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Jim Conly posted a condolence
Thursday, May 6, 2021
I would like offer condolences to the family and let them know how much Rudy meant to me as a colleague ,mentor and friend. We worked together on a number of projects during his tenure as the English language arts consultant for Winnipeg One. I learned so much from Rudy.He had a profound influence on my approach to the day to day classroom work and to many others at at Gordon Bell High School. He was an inspiration to many. His warmth kindness and sense of humour endeared him to all of us.
Jim Conly9t7
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Hildegard Martens lit a candle
Thursday, May 6, 2021
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My deepest sympathies to Sharron, sons, Arik, Christoff, and families, and to Rudi's siblings. I share your sorrow at the departure of Rudi from our lives; he was still so intellectually engaged and physically active until cancer took its toll. I knew Rudi from the time we attended the same high school, the Mennonite Collegiate Institute, in the late 1950's. Later, we connected at a student reunion. Over the years we developed a friendship while living in different cities, he in Winnipeg and I in Toronto. Through phone calls, emails and texts, we discussed a wide range of topics, from literature to social trends to religion and politics. While we sometimes disagreed, we always found a way forward through trust and respect for each other's views. Rudi was not afraid to question old assumptions and explore new ideas. He was devoted to his wife Sharron, his children and grandchildren, and always kept in touch with friends and acquaintances. I will miss him as a friend with whom I shared a common heritage and interests over the years. He will live on in our memories of him. Hildegard Martens
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Ann genn posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
My sincere sympathy to Sharron, Christoff, Arik and their families.
Rudi and family were neighbors of mine for over twenty years. Many great discussions were held over the "back fence" from politics, finance and kids!
He was always ready to lend a helping hand o his neighbors.
He will be missed!
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Mala Carriere posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
My deepest sympathies to the entire family. Our ties went far back. Rudi's brother was first my teacher in high school and then I worked with Rudi at the Winnipeg School Division. Rudi and I clicked on so many levels. I loved working for him and hearing all his stories and his wisdom was far from anyone else I have ever known. My regret is that we were not able to see each other again after he retired. He has created an amazing legacy that no one will ever forget. Your infectious laughter and smile will be missed. Till we meet again.
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Elaine Froese posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Sending love and prayers to you Sharron, Christoff, Rebecca, Arik, and the brothers, Don, George and Henry from our Froese family in Boissevain. I deeply appreciated Rudi's encouragement to me over the years as a fellow writer and his response to core messages for farm families. We also shared a close understanding of supporting family in their journey of wellness. He graciously helped us clear trees from our lake house and loved the outdoors and the beauty around him.
God's comfort be made very real to you in the days ahead. With our sympathies, Wes and Elaine Froese.
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CAROLE DALRYMPLE posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Our condolences and sympathies to all the Engbrecht family. May many fond memories help you through this difficult time.
Miles and Carole Dalrymple (Neufeld)
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Carolyn and Jochen Eggert lit a candle
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
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Our sincere sympathies to Henry, Erika and whole family for the loss of special Rudi. We were grateful for Rudi's faithful, gracious visits and calls to brother Bernie before his passing
last November. Peace and Comfort to you all at this sad time.
Carolyn and Jochen Eggert
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Edna Edwards posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Deepest Sympathy Sharon, Arik and families on the passing of a dear man. I have fond memories of chatting with him at FMC during coffee time.He will be missed-but hold onto the fond memories that you had with him. Edna Edwards
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Rachel Ollinger posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
I fondly remember listening to Uncle Rudi telling us children the stories of Johnny Mole at the Engbrecht reunion at the lake every year. They were a highlight that I looked forward to as a child. My heart is heavy and grieving with you.
Rachel Ollinger
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Ian Gemmill posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
When we were students, we called him Mr. Engbrecht, because of our respect for him, but later, as friends, he was Rudi. Rudi was one of those few teachers who got us to look at things from different perspectives, who opened our minds to new ways of thinking, and who in fact helped us to learn how to think discerningly. He taught me not only how to write thoughtfully and clearly, but also how to appreciate the beauty and power of language. We were lucky to have known him, and luckier to have had him as our teacher. My deepest sympathy to Sharon and the rest of Rudi’s family. Ian Gemmill, Room 11-57, Kelvin High School, 1967-68.
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Rita Coutu posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Our condolences & deepest sympathies to Sharon & family. Find comfort in John 14: 1-3.
With love from Cousins Ed & Anne Janzen & Rita Coutu.
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Abigail Anderson uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
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Sharron, Christoff, Arik & family:
Rudi loved this painting and I wanted to share it with you. I shared several of my Chinese brush paintings with him over the winter and he especially liked the contrasts here between the delicate flowers and the roughness of the branches. Love, Abigail
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Abigail ANDERSON lit a candle
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
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Dearest Sharron, Christoff, Arik and your families, and the Engbrecht extended family,
My heart aches for each of you. Rudi was a larger-than-life figure, with a soul to match, and his life was true to his values and beliefs. As a friend for over 30 years, I well remember trips to Winnipeg and special times spent with Sharron and Rudi. I know how much he loved each one of you, while appreciating your uniqueness.
He was a master teacher and a man who changed the lives of so many, including me — a fellow teacher. He was an intellectual and a writer whose feet stood in the earth while his eyes looked to the sky.
His loss is another lesson, one about the courage to live life fully while respecting and honouring the person you are and the lives of others who come into your life.
Even as I share your grief, I know that Rudi will shine on. I only wish that I could be there with you, to give hugs and support, in a non-virtual way. But in my heart I am indeed with you.
Love,
Abigail Anderson and James Goodman, my son
Montreal, Quebec
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Nicholas Rice posted a condolence
Monday, May 3, 2021
Under Rudi’s guidance, we Grade 11 students in Room 57 at Kelvin (1967-68) engaged in deep and passionate discussions about literature and life and love. Striving to meet his high standards, we wrote — and re-wrote — countless essays.
But there was something in that room that went well beyond schoolwork. It was the sense of excitement and support, a wonderful alchemy. Those of us who experienced it will never forget it. All these years later, across Canada and throughout the world, it’s what continues to bind us as friends.
Rudi taught us well. We loved him so much. We’re his Opus.
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The family of Rudi Engbrecht uploaded a photo
Monday, May 3, 2021
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