MEMORIES OF DAD
As a child, I remember helping Dad with chores on our dairy farm. Even though there was not much time for recreation, he would find the time to throw fly balls for me to catch while we walked to the barn. I also enjoyed long talks with Dad as we worked together. As early as my teen years, when ordering new cars and farm equipment, he would consult with me about which car or tractor I thought was best. He taught me people skills and encouraged me to start my own business. He was always available to lend me a hand with deliveries. Dad was a big help to Bev and Bob when they built their timber frame home.
Dad would host school farm tours. After the tour, he would go to the milk cooler and reach into the rear section to pull out ice cream bars. Dad enjoyed reading the thank you letters. One little girl wrote, "Dear Mr. Dettweiler, I liked your cows. I reely liked your baby calves. I especially liked the machine that turns milk into ice cream bars!"
My memories include the special relationship he had with Mom. He always had a parting kiss for her. When I turned sixteen, he was in a big hurry for met to get a driver's licence because he was planning to take Mom out west for a month, between haying and harvest, for a well deserved vacation.
Dad was very generous with his time for an array of causes. One day a stranger entered the stable and asked if he could borrow twenty dollars because he was broke. Dad reached in his pocket and gave him the money. Dad was asked to sit on the board for the newly formed Mennonite Credit Union. When Dad asked, "why me?" he was told they needed a successful business man, not just people with high education. For over forty years, Dad delivered Christmas hampers for the House of Friendship until his memory started to fail. Over the years, he enjoyed welcoming new people to church, being church treasurer and helping Mom teach Sunday School.
These are just a few of my treasured memories of a great father. Bill Dettweiler
MEMORIES OF HOWIE DETTWEILER, by FRED KINSIE
One summer, nearly 50 years ago, I got my first two jobs. They were both with Dettweilers.
I worked for Harold Dettweiler in the butcher shop Thursday and Friday nights and on Saturday. And I worked for Howard Mon-Fri on his farm out by the airport.
For me, working at Howard's was a 9 to 5 job. I arrived around 8 just after the milking was done. And while Howard had breakfast, I cleaned the equipment and tidied up the milk house. Sometimes I cleaned the bulk cooler later in the day.I left late afternoon just before the chores started. Mostly, I was hired to work the land and help with harvest.
In three years, I helped with stook threshing, bailer threshing and combining. I bet you can figure out which one I liked the best!
Howie was very patient with me that first year as I tried my hand at stacking sheaves into a stook.When we were half way across the field and turned around to see most of my stooks had fallen over, Howie just smiled and walked back with me, gave me some pointers and helped to straighten up the mess I had made.
He also taught me how to drive tractors and plow and harrow and cultivate ... and how to start my old ‘53 Chevy by parking it on the barn hill then letting it roll down and popping the clutch - I hardly every used that starter after that!
One of my favourite stories about Howie was about his skill on the tractor. One summer, while we were bailer threshing, it started to rain. We drove fast back to the farm and Howie whipped into the barn yard and proceeded to back the tractor, bailer and loaded wagon up the hill and into the barn. I think he had to stop and start once, but I was totally amazed!
As I've told that story over the years, the configuration sometimes grew to two loaded wagons, but I've yet to find anyone who would believe me — especially farmers — so for the most part, I've had to eliminate one wagon.
Those were three wonderful years I spent learning pretty much all I know about farming.
Howie was a generous and patient man and I treasure those summers of my youth.
As fate would have it, about fifteen years later, our roles were reversed.
Howie had sold the farm, but he was way too young to be retired.As he used to say, "I'm not retired, I'm just tired"
A wonderful sense of humour was another of Howard's many attributes.
At Kinsie Wool, we needed a driver to deliver boxes of yarn and craft supplies to stores throughout southern Ontario: from Oshawa and Scarborough to downtown Toronto, Hamilton, St. Catherines, London and even an occasional trip to Windsor.Howard was the perfect man for the job. As you can imagine, he didn't have any trouble backing up a cube van to a loading dock.
He loved people and he loved helping. It wasn't long before all our store managers eagerly anticipated his weekly visit - not only would he bring a handsome face and fresh supplies to stock the shelves, he would fix things: burnt out light bulbs, loose fixtures, squeaky doors ... and vacuum cleaners!
The common scenario was this - as soon as Howie walked into the store, the manager or one of her staff would tell him that the vacuum cleaner was broke ... it had stopped picking up things; there was no suction.Howie would give her a smile, open up the vacuum, take out the full bag and put in a fresh new one and voila ... another miracle was performed!
Oh, sometimes they were actually broken: a snapped belt or something jammed in, and he would fix that too.
Howie stuck with me until the very end of the Wool Shop years.
In the final months he diligently worked at dismantling store fixtures and hauling them back to our warehouse. As always, putting in a full day's work with no complaints.
I have many fond memories of those years with Howie ... working for him and with him.
He was a man of integrity and generosity, of humour and warmth. In some ways he was easy-going, but he was also a man of principles and values.
The world would be a much better place if it had more Howard Dettweilers.
He will be missed by many, including me.
REMEMBERING MY FATHER-IN-LAW, by BOB BUDD
I'm grateful for the opportunity to speak at Howards memorial. It's been hard the last few years but now it seems easier to recall the Howard we knew and it's been a good experience to go back. I have to say my recollections now are invariably positive ones.
It is somewhat remarkable when I look back now that Howard and I got along so well. We were so different in many ways….I remember showing up at Howard and Ruth's new home to meet them for the first time driving a 16 year old pickup last painted with flat black Tremclad and a roller. I found out soon after that Howard prized highly a shiny freshly washed and waxed vehicle.
That might have been strike one for a prospective son-in- law but I couldn't have been made to feel anymore welcome than I was that day.
We differed too in that Howard was master of organization and planning. I supported the "creativity from chaos theory".
Howard stayed at the same profession for 30 yrs with twice a day milkings but never showed anything but support and positive reaction as I moved from one somewhat risky endeavour to another.
Howard was a man of unquestioning faith I questioned everything and had faith in little, but he was content to guide with his actions and not words.
When Bev and I told Howard of our naïve plan to build our own home, on a vacant piece of land with no hydro, near Goderich, his first comment should have been "what are you thinking?" Instead he was already thinking about how he could help with the building.
I admit to seldom knowing what or how to do something at any stage of the house building process but Howard was always so positive. Maybe that's where his faith came into practice. A typical Howard response to something I would say would be "that sounds good", "I like the sound of that", "that should work out" or my favourite at the end of the day "I feel good about getting that done". Howard invariably spoke in the positive it seemed and I'm not sure if he trained himself to do that or it was just his nature, but imagine if we could all be that positive in our relationships.
And in case I didn't say it often enough at the time -thanks Howard.
I'd like to try to describe some of the images that popped into my mind the last few days.
Howard as a young farmer recently married. It's a summer evening, the moon full and the sky clear. He picks up a fork and decides to stook a little grain before bedtime. In the wee hours of the morning Howard climbs into bed with Ruth, who's wondering what kind of workaholic she married. But Howard smiles as he falls asleep because he knows he got the whole 6 acres done without burning any daylight.
I recall walking through a crowded restaurant soon after meeting Howard for the first time and wondering if we were ever going to get to the table because of all the people Howard talked to or shook hands with or shared a story with on the way.
I remember thinking at the time "was this guy the mayor or something?" I think it really was a case of when you met Howard you were well met. He was enthusiastic whether you were old friend or stranger. Even when the Ahlziemers was advanced you could extend a hand and he'd often give you a hand shake. A very good old habit that died hard.
I see Howard with an axe almost 30 years my senior putting me to shame showing me the real way to split wood. Howard grew up in an age when wood and muscle was the heating source of choice and it showed. There is a very small group of men that could do with an axe what Howard could with his big hands. I like to split wood but it really was a pleasure to stand back watch him.
I remember the rather disappointed look on the face of a man as he gave me the bill for sawing a pile of logs into lumber for our porch. When Howard heard that the fellas with the portable sawmill charged by the hour he said let me know when they are going to be there. Let's just say with Howard's help that sawmill set a production record never achieved before or since. I heard they sold that sawmill shortly thereafter I think partially out of fear Howard would show up at another job site and work their butts off.
Howard and his trusty dodge pickup at one of our many moving days saying if we put the mattress here and turn over the chair we can still get the filing cabinet and all the boxes in. You couldn't have better help on moving day. His ability to fill that truck with everything from furniture to freezer lids is close to legend.
Howard used to deliver scratched and dented freezer lids from woods that would have ended up as scrap. The guys on the loading dock would come to see how many he could fit in his truck this time. They were used in houses, chicken coops, pig barns , cold storage rooms by people all over Southern Ontario. A few weeks ago Bev and I smiled to each other as someone proudly showed off their combination solar shower and outhouse built from freezer lids. I think Howard would laugh out loud at this kind of monument to his generosity of spirit.
Lastly the image that I'll treasure the most is on the day of our house raising. George and Mary Fast, Albert and Luanna Martin, Aaron and Esther Enns and Howard and Ruth had come up the night before. It was a pleasure to watch the four working together. As the day progressed the frame got to a stage where we needed to work off the ground. I remember Howard walking quickly and confidently along those beams not the least bit afraid (unlike me) of falling. I thought to myself this guy has done this before. In reality I think Howard represented several generations of people who dedicated their efforts to helping others.
Obituary, WATERLOO REGION RECORD, Kitchener, Ontario - Apr. 6, 2009
DETTWEILER, Howard - Passed away peacefully at Sunnyside Home in his 80th year. Beloved husband of the late Ruth (Kinzie) Dettweiler (2002). Dear father of William (Bill) and his wife Donna of Tobermory, and Beverly Budd and her husband Bob of Goderich. Loved grandfather of Cory Dettweiler. Dear brother of Erma Martin and Beatrice Martin. Howard was a member of Breslau Mennonite Church where he served as treasurer and in other capacities over the years. Howard was a dairy farmer in the Breslau area until 1977. Howard's family will receive friends at Breslau Mennonite Church, 226 Woolwich St., Breslau on Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. A service of remembrance will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at Breslau Mennonite Church.
As a child, I remember helping Dad with chores on our dairy farm. Even though there was not much time for recreation, he would find the time to throw fly balls for me to catch while we walked to the barn. I also enjoyed long talks with Dad as we worked together. As early as my teen years, when ordering new cars and farm equipment, he would consult with me about which car or tractor I thought was best. He taught me people skills and encouraged me to start my own business. He was always available to lend me a hand with deliveries. Dad was a big help to Bev and Bob when they built their timber frame home.
Dad would host school farm tours. After the tour, he would go to the milk cooler and reach into the rear section to pull out ice cream bars. Dad enjoyed reading the thank you letters. One little girl wrote, "Dear Mr. Dettweiler, I liked your cows. I reely liked your baby calves. I especially liked the machine that turns milk into ice cream bars!"
My memories include the special relationship he had with Mom. He always had a parting kiss for her. When I turned sixteen, he was in a big hurry for met to get a driver's licence because he was planning to take Mom out west for a month, between haying and harvest, for a well deserved vacation.
Dad was very generous with his time for an array of causes. One day a stranger entered the stable and asked if he could borrow twenty dollars because he was broke. Dad reached in his pocket and gave him the money. Dad was asked to sit on the board for the newly formed Mennonite Credit Union. When Dad asked, "why me?" he was told they needed a successful business man, not just people with high education. For over forty years, Dad delivered Christmas hampers for the House of Friendship until his memory started to fail. Over the years, he enjoyed welcoming new people to church, being church treasurer and helping Mom teach Sunday School.
These are just a few of my treasured memories of a great father. Bill Dettweiler
MEMORIES OF HOWIE DETTWEILER, by FRED KINSIE
One summer, nearly 50 years ago, I got my first two jobs. They were both with Dettweilers.
I worked for Harold Dettweiler in the butcher shop Thursday and Friday nights and on Saturday. And I worked for Howard Mon-Fri on his farm out by the airport.
For me, working at Howard's was a 9 to 5 job. I arrived around 8 just after the milking was done. And while Howard had breakfast, I cleaned the equipment and tidied up the milk house. Sometimes I cleaned the bulk cooler later in the day.I left late afternoon just before the chores started. Mostly, I was hired to work the land and help with harvest.
In three years, I helped with stook threshing, bailer threshing and combining. I bet you can figure out which one I liked the best!
Howie was very patient with me that first year as I tried my hand at stacking sheaves into a stook.When we were half way across the field and turned around to see most of my stooks had fallen over, Howie just smiled and walked back with me, gave me some pointers and helped to straighten up the mess I had made.
He also taught me how to drive tractors and plow and harrow and cultivate ... and how to start my old ‘53 Chevy by parking it on the barn hill then letting it roll down and popping the clutch - I hardly every used that starter after that!
One of my favourite stories about Howie was about his skill on the tractor. One summer, while we were bailer threshing, it started to rain. We drove fast back to the farm and Howie whipped into the barn yard and proceeded to back the tractor, bailer and loaded wagon up the hill and into the barn. I think he had to stop and start once, but I was totally amazed!
As I've told that story over the years, the configuration sometimes grew to two loaded wagons, but I've yet to find anyone who would believe me — especially farmers — so for the most part, I've had to eliminate one wagon.
Those were three wonderful years I spent learning pretty much all I know about farming.
Howie was a generous and patient man and I treasure those summers of my youth.
As fate would have it, about fifteen years later, our roles were reversed.
Howie had sold the farm, but he was way too young to be retired.As he used to say, "I'm not retired, I'm just tired"
A wonderful sense of humour was another of Howard's many attributes.
At Kinsie Wool, we needed a driver to deliver boxes of yarn and craft supplies to stores throughout southern Ontario: from Oshawa and Scarborough to downtown Toronto, Hamilton, St. Catherines, London and even an occasional trip to Windsor.Howard was the perfect man for the job. As you can imagine, he didn't have any trouble backing up a cube van to a loading dock.
He loved people and he loved helping. It wasn't long before all our store managers eagerly anticipated his weekly visit - not only would he bring a handsome face and fresh supplies to stock the shelves, he would fix things: burnt out light bulbs, loose fixtures, squeaky doors ... and vacuum cleaners!
The common scenario was this - as soon as Howie walked into the store, the manager or one of her staff would tell him that the vacuum cleaner was broke ... it had stopped picking up things; there was no suction.Howie would give her a smile, open up the vacuum, take out the full bag and put in a fresh new one and voila ... another miracle was performed!
Oh, sometimes they were actually broken: a snapped belt or something jammed in, and he would fix that too.
Howie stuck with me until the very end of the Wool Shop years.
In the final months he diligently worked at dismantling store fixtures and hauling them back to our warehouse. As always, putting in a full day's work with no complaints.
I have many fond memories of those years with Howie ... working for him and with him.
He was a man of integrity and generosity, of humour and warmth. In some ways he was easy-going, but he was also a man of principles and values.
The world would be a much better place if it had more Howard Dettweilers.
He will be missed by many, including me.
REMEMBERING MY FATHER-IN-LAW, by BOB BUDD
I'm grateful for the opportunity to speak at Howards memorial. It's been hard the last few years but now it seems easier to recall the Howard we knew and it's been a good experience to go back. I have to say my recollections now are invariably positive ones.
It is somewhat remarkable when I look back now that Howard and I got along so well. We were so different in many ways….I remember showing up at Howard and Ruth's new home to meet them for the first time driving a 16 year old pickup last painted with flat black Tremclad and a roller. I found out soon after that Howard prized highly a shiny freshly washed and waxed vehicle.
That might have been strike one for a prospective son-in- law but I couldn't have been made to feel anymore welcome than I was that day.
We differed too in that Howard was master of organization and planning. I supported the "creativity from chaos theory".
Howard stayed at the same profession for 30 yrs with twice a day milkings but never showed anything but support and positive reaction as I moved from one somewhat risky endeavour to another.
Howard was a man of unquestioning faith I questioned everything and had faith in little, but he was content to guide with his actions and not words.
When Bev and I told Howard of our naïve plan to build our own home, on a vacant piece of land with no hydro, near Goderich, his first comment should have been "what are you thinking?" Instead he was already thinking about how he could help with the building.
I admit to seldom knowing what or how to do something at any stage of the house building process but Howard was always so positive. Maybe that's where his faith came into practice. A typical Howard response to something I would say would be "that sounds good", "I like the sound of that", "that should work out" or my favourite at the end of the day "I feel good about getting that done". Howard invariably spoke in the positive it seemed and I'm not sure if he trained himself to do that or it was just his nature, but imagine if we could all be that positive in our relationships.
And in case I didn't say it often enough at the time -thanks Howard.
I'd like to try to describe some of the images that popped into my mind the last few days.
Howard as a young farmer recently married. It's a summer evening, the moon full and the sky clear. He picks up a fork and decides to stook a little grain before bedtime. In the wee hours of the morning Howard climbs into bed with Ruth, who's wondering what kind of workaholic she married. But Howard smiles as he falls asleep because he knows he got the whole 6 acres done without burning any daylight.
I recall walking through a crowded restaurant soon after meeting Howard for the first time and wondering if we were ever going to get to the table because of all the people Howard talked to or shook hands with or shared a story with on the way.
I remember thinking at the time "was this guy the mayor or something?" I think it really was a case of when you met Howard you were well met. He was enthusiastic whether you were old friend or stranger. Even when the Ahlziemers was advanced you could extend a hand and he'd often give you a hand shake. A very good old habit that died hard.
I see Howard with an axe almost 30 years my senior putting me to shame showing me the real way to split wood. Howard grew up in an age when wood and muscle was the heating source of choice and it showed. There is a very small group of men that could do with an axe what Howard could with his big hands. I like to split wood but it really was a pleasure to stand back watch him.
I remember the rather disappointed look on the face of a man as he gave me the bill for sawing a pile of logs into lumber for our porch. When Howard heard that the fellas with the portable sawmill charged by the hour he said let me know when they are going to be there. Let's just say with Howard's help that sawmill set a production record never achieved before or since. I heard they sold that sawmill shortly thereafter I think partially out of fear Howard would show up at another job site and work their butts off.
Howard and his trusty dodge pickup at one of our many moving days saying if we put the mattress here and turn over the chair we can still get the filing cabinet and all the boxes in. You couldn't have better help on moving day. His ability to fill that truck with everything from furniture to freezer lids is close to legend.
Howard used to deliver scratched and dented freezer lids from woods that would have ended up as scrap. The guys on the loading dock would come to see how many he could fit in his truck this time. They were used in houses, chicken coops, pig barns , cold storage rooms by people all over Southern Ontario. A few weeks ago Bev and I smiled to each other as someone proudly showed off their combination solar shower and outhouse built from freezer lids. I think Howard would laugh out loud at this kind of monument to his generosity of spirit.
Lastly the image that I'll treasure the most is on the day of our house raising. George and Mary Fast, Albert and Luanna Martin, Aaron and Esther Enns and Howard and Ruth had come up the night before. It was a pleasure to watch the four working together. As the day progressed the frame got to a stage where we needed to work off the ground. I remember Howard walking quickly and confidently along those beams not the least bit afraid (unlike me) of falling. I thought to myself this guy has done this before. In reality I think Howard represented several generations of people who dedicated their efforts to helping others.
Obituary, WATERLOO REGION RECORD, Kitchener, Ontario - Apr. 6, 2009
DETTWEILER, Howard - Passed away peacefully at Sunnyside Home in his 80th year. Beloved husband of the late Ruth (Kinzie) Dettweiler (2002). Dear father of William (Bill) and his wife Donna of Tobermory, and Beverly Budd and her husband Bob of Goderich. Loved grandfather of Cory Dettweiler. Dear brother of Erma Martin and Beatrice Martin. Howard was a member of Breslau Mennonite Church where he served as treasurer and in other capacities over the years. Howard was a dairy farmer in the Breslau area until 1977. Howard's family will receive friends at Breslau Mennonite Church, 226 Woolwich St., Breslau on Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. A service of remembrance will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at Breslau Mennonite Church.
MEMORIES OF DAD
As a child, I remember helping Dad with chores on our dairy farm. Even though there was not much time for recreation, he would find the time to throw fly balls for me to catch while we walked to the barn. I also enjoyed long talks with Dad as we worked together. As early as my teen years, when ordering new cars and farm equipment, he would consult with me about which car or tractor I thought was best. He taught me people skills and encouraged me to start my own business. He was always available to lend me a hand with deliveries. Dad was a big help to Bev and Bob when they built their timber frame home.
Dad would host school farm tours. After the tour, he would go to the milk cooler and reach into the rear section to pull out ice cream bars. Dad enjoyed reading the thank you letters. One little girl wrote, "Dear Mr. Dettweiler, I liked your cows. I reely liked your baby calves. I especially liked the machine that turns milk into ice cream bars!"
My memories include the special relationship he had with Mom. He always had a parting kiss for her. When I turned sixteen, he was in a big hurry for met to get a driver's licence because he was planning to take Mom out west for a month, between haying and harvest, for a well deserved vacation.
Dad was very generous with his time for an array of causes. One day a stranger entered the stable and asked if he could borrow twenty dollars because he was broke. Dad reached in his pocket and gave him the money. Dad was asked to sit on the board for the newly formed Mennonite Credit Union. When Dad asked, "why me?" he was told they needed a successful business man, not just people with high education. For over forty years, Dad delivered Christmas hampers for the House of Friendship until his memory started to fail. Over the years, he enjoyed welcoming new people to church, being church treasurer and helping Mom teach Sunday School.
These are just a few of my treasured memories of a great father. Bill Dettweiler
MEMORIES OF HOWIE DETTWEILER, by FRED KINSIE
One summer, nearly 50 years ago, I got my first two jobs. They were both with Dettweilers.
I worked for Harold Dettweiler in the butcher shop Thursday and Friday nights and on Saturday. And I worked for Howard Mon-Fri on his farm out by the airport.
For me, working at Howard's was a 9 to 5 job. I arrived around 8 just after the milking was done. And while Howard had breakfast, I cleaned the equipment and tidied up the milk house. Sometimes I cleaned the bulk cooler later in the day.I left late afternoon just before the chores started. Mostly, I was hired to work the land and help with harvest.
In three years, I helped with stook threshing, bailer threshing and combining. I bet you can figure out which one I liked the best!
Howie was very patient with me that first year as I tried my hand at stacking sheaves into a stook.When we were half way across the field and turned around to see most of my stooks had fallen over, Howie just smiled and walked back with me, gave me some pointers and helped to straighten up the mess I had made.
He also taught me how to drive tractors and plow and harrow and cultivate ... and how to start my old ‘53 Chevy by parking it on the barn hill then letting it roll down and popping the clutch - I hardly every used that starter after that!
One of my favourite stories about Howie was about his skill on the tractor. One summer, while we were bailer threshing, it started to rain. We drove fast back to the farm and Howie whipped into the barn yard and proceeded to back the tractor, bailer and loaded wagon up the hill and into the barn. I think he had to stop and start once, but I was totally amazed!
As I've told that story over the years, the configuration sometimes grew to two loaded wagons, but I've yet to find anyone who would believe me — especially farmers — so for the most part, I've had to eliminate one wagon.
Those were three wonderful years I spent learning pretty much all I know about farming.
Howie was a generous and patient man and I treasure those summers of my youth.
As fate would have it, about fifteen years later, our roles were reversed.
Howie had sold the farm, but he was way too young to be retired.As he used to say, "I'm not retired, I'm just tired"
A wonderful sense of humour was another of Howard's many attributes.
At Kinsie Wool, we needed a driver to deliver boxes of yarn and craft supplies to stores throughout southern Ontario: from Oshawa and Scarborough to downtown Toronto, Hamilton, St. Catherines, London and even an occasional trip to Windsor.Howard was the perfect man for the job. As you can imagine, he didn't have any trouble backing up a cube van to a loading dock.
He loved people and he loved helping. It wasn't long before all our store managers eagerly anticipated his weekly visit - not only would he bring a handsome face and fresh supplies to stock the shelves, he would fix things: burnt out light bulbs, loose fixtures, squeaky doors ... and vacuum cleaners!
The common scenario was this - as soon as Howie walked into the store, the manager or one of her staff would tell him that the vacuum cleaner was broke ... it had stopped picking up things; there was no suction.Howie would give her a smile, open up the vacuum, take out the full bag and put in a fresh new one and voila ... another miracle was performed!
Oh, sometimes they were actually broken: a snapped belt or something jammed in, and he would fix that too.
Howie stuck with me until the very end of the Wool Shop years.
In the final months he diligently worked at dismantling store fixtures and hauling them back to our warehouse. As always, putting in a full day's work with no complaints.
I have many fond memories of those years with Howie ... working for him and with him.
He was a man of integrity and generosity, of humour and warmth. In some ways he was easy-going, but he was also a man of principles and values.
The world would be a much better place if it had more Howard Dettweilers.
He will be missed by many, including me.
REMEMBERING MY FATHER-IN-LAW, by BOB BUDD
I'm grateful for the opportunity to speak at Howards memorial. It's been hard the last few years but now it seems easier to recall the Howard we knew and it's been a good experience to go back. I have to say my recollections now are invariably positive ones.
It is somewhat remarkable when I look back now that Howard and I got along so well. We were so different in many ways….I remember showing up at Howard and Ruth's new home to meet them for the first time driving a 16 year old pickup last painted with flat black Tremclad and a roller. I found out soon after that Howard prized highly a shiny freshly washed and waxed vehicle.
That might have been strike one for a prospective son-in- law but I couldn't have been made to feel anymore welcome than I was that day.
We differed too in that Howard was master of organization and planning. I supported the "creativity from chaos theory".
Howard stayed at the same profession for 30 yrs with twice a day milkings but never showed anything but support and positive reaction as I moved from one somewhat risky endeavour to another.
Howard was a man of unquestioning faith I questioned everything and had faith in little, but he was content to guide with his actions and not words.
When Bev and I told Howard of our naïve plan to build our own home, on a vacant piece of land with no hydro, near Goderich, his first comment should have been "what are you thinking?" Instead he was already thinking about how he could help with the building.
I admit to seldom knowing what or how to do something at any stage of the house building process but Howard was always so positive. Maybe that's where his faith came into practice. A typical Howard response to something I would say would be "that sounds good", "I like the sound of that", "that should work out" or my favourite at the end of the day "I feel good about getting that done". Howard invariably spoke in the positive it seemed and I'm not sure if he trained himself to do that or it was just his nature, but imagine if we could all be that positive in our relationships.
And in case I didn't say it often enough at the time -thanks Howard.
I'd like to try to describe some of the images that popped into my mind the last few days.
Howard as a young farmer recently married. It's a summer evening, the moon full and the sky clear. He picks up a fork and decides to stook a little grain before bedtime. In the wee hours of the morning Howard climbs into bed with Ruth, who's wondering what kind of workaholic she married. But Howard smiles as he falls asleep because he knows he got the whole 6 acres done without burning any daylight.
I recall walking through a crowded restaurant soon after meeting Howard for the first time and wondering if we were ever going to get to the table because of all the people Howard talked to or shook hands with or shared a story with on the way.
I remember thinking at the time "was this guy the mayor or something?" I think it really was a case of when you met Howard you were well met. He was enthusiastic whether you were old friend or stranger. Even when the Ahlziemers was advanced you could extend a hand and he'd often give you a hand shake. A very good old habit that died hard.
I see Howard with an axe almost 30 years my senior putting me to shame showing me the real way to split wood. Howard grew up in an age when wood and muscle was the heating source of choice and it showed. There is a very small group of men that could do with an axe what Howard could with his big hands. I like to split wood but it really was a pleasure to stand back watch him.
I remember the rather disappointed look on the face of a man as he gave me the bill for sawing a pile of logs into lumber for our porch. When Howard heard that the fellas with the portable sawmill charged by the hour he said let me know when they are going to be there. Let's just say with Howard's help that sawmill set a production record never achieved before or since. I heard they sold that sawmill shortly thereafter I think partially out of fear Howard would show up at another job site and work their butts off.
Howard and his trusty dodge pickup at one of our many moving days saying if we put the mattress here and turn over the chair we can still get the filing cabinet and all the boxes in. You couldn't have better help on moving day. His ability to fill that truck with everything from furniture to freezer lids is close to legend.
Howard used to deliver scratched and dented freezer lids from woods that would have ended up as scrap. The guys on the loading dock would come to see how many he could fit in his truck this time. They were used in houses, chicken coops, pig barns , cold storage rooms by people all over Southern Ontario. A few weeks ago Bev and I smiled to each other as someone proudly showed off their combination solar shower and outhouse built from freezer lids. I think Howard would laugh out loud at this kind of monument to his generosity of spirit.
Lastly the image that I'll treasure the most is on the day of our house raising. George and Mary Fast, Albert and Luanna Martin, Aaron and Esther Enns and Howard and Ruth had come up the night before. It was a pleasure to watch the four working together. As the day progressed the frame got to a stage where we needed to work off the ground. I remember Howard walking quickly and confidently along those beams not the least bit afraid (unlike me) of falling. I thought to myself this guy has done this before. In reality I think Howard represented several generations of people who dedicated their efforts to helping others.
Obituary, WATERLOO REGION RECORD, Kitchener, Ontario - Apr. 6, 2009
DETTWEILER, Howard - Passed away peacefully at Sunnyside Home in his 80th year. Beloved husband of the late Ruth (Kinzie) Dettweiler (2002). Dear father of William (Bill) and his wife Donna of Tobermory, and Beverly Budd and her husband Bob of Goderich. Loved grandfather of Cory Dettweiler. Dear brother of Erma Martin and Beatrice Martin. Howard was a member of Breslau Mennonite Church where he served as treasurer and in other capacities over the years. Howard was a dairy farmer in the Breslau area until 1977. Howard's family will receive friends at Breslau Mennonite Church, 226 Woolwich St., Breslau on Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. A service of remembrance will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at Breslau Mennonite Church.
As a child, I remember helping Dad with chores on our dairy farm. Even though there was not much time for recreation, he would find the time to throw fly balls for me to catch while we walked to the barn. I also enjoyed long talks with Dad as we worked together. As early as my teen years, when ordering new cars and farm equipment, he would consult with me about which car or tractor I thought was best. He taught me people skills and encouraged me to start my own business. He was always available to lend me a hand with deliveries. Dad was a big help to Bev and Bob when they built their timber frame home.
Dad would host school farm tours. After the tour, he would go to the milk cooler and reach into the rear section to pull out ice cream bars. Dad enjoyed reading the thank you letters. One little girl wrote, "Dear Mr. Dettweiler, I liked your cows. I reely liked your baby calves. I especially liked the machine that turns milk into ice cream bars!"
My memories include the special relationship he had with Mom. He always had a parting kiss for her. When I turned sixteen, he was in a big hurry for met to get a driver's licence because he was planning to take Mom out west for a month, between haying and harvest, for a well deserved vacation.
Dad was very generous with his time for an array of causes. One day a stranger entered the stable and asked if he could borrow twenty dollars because he was broke. Dad reached in his pocket and gave him the money. Dad was asked to sit on the board for the newly formed Mennonite Credit Union. When Dad asked, "why me?" he was told they needed a successful business man, not just people with high education. For over forty years, Dad delivered Christmas hampers for the House of Friendship until his memory started to fail. Over the years, he enjoyed welcoming new people to church, being church treasurer and helping Mom teach Sunday School.
These are just a few of my treasured memories of a great father. Bill Dettweiler
MEMORIES OF HOWIE DETTWEILER, by FRED KINSIE
One summer, nearly 50 years ago, I got my first two jobs. They were both with Dettweilers.
I worked for Harold Dettweiler in the butcher shop Thursday and Friday nights and on Saturday. And I worked for Howard Mon-Fri on his farm out by the airport.
For me, working at Howard's was a 9 to 5 job. I arrived around 8 just after the milking was done. And while Howard had breakfast, I cleaned the equipment and tidied up the milk house. Sometimes I cleaned the bulk cooler later in the day.I left late afternoon just before the chores started. Mostly, I was hired to work the land and help with harvest.
In three years, I helped with stook threshing, bailer threshing and combining. I bet you can figure out which one I liked the best!
Howie was very patient with me that first year as I tried my hand at stacking sheaves into a stook.When we were half way across the field and turned around to see most of my stooks had fallen over, Howie just smiled and walked back with me, gave me some pointers and helped to straighten up the mess I had made.
He also taught me how to drive tractors and plow and harrow and cultivate ... and how to start my old ‘53 Chevy by parking it on the barn hill then letting it roll down and popping the clutch - I hardly every used that starter after that!
One of my favourite stories about Howie was about his skill on the tractor. One summer, while we were bailer threshing, it started to rain. We drove fast back to the farm and Howie whipped into the barn yard and proceeded to back the tractor, bailer and loaded wagon up the hill and into the barn. I think he had to stop and start once, but I was totally amazed!
As I've told that story over the years, the configuration sometimes grew to two loaded wagons, but I've yet to find anyone who would believe me — especially farmers — so for the most part, I've had to eliminate one wagon.
Those were three wonderful years I spent learning pretty much all I know about farming.
Howie was a generous and patient man and I treasure those summers of my youth.
As fate would have it, about fifteen years later, our roles were reversed.
Howie had sold the farm, but he was way too young to be retired.As he used to say, "I'm not retired, I'm just tired"
A wonderful sense of humour was another of Howard's many attributes.
At Kinsie Wool, we needed a driver to deliver boxes of yarn and craft supplies to stores throughout southern Ontario: from Oshawa and Scarborough to downtown Toronto, Hamilton, St. Catherines, London and even an occasional trip to Windsor.Howard was the perfect man for the job. As you can imagine, he didn't have any trouble backing up a cube van to a loading dock.
He loved people and he loved helping. It wasn't long before all our store managers eagerly anticipated his weekly visit - not only would he bring a handsome face and fresh supplies to stock the shelves, he would fix things: burnt out light bulbs, loose fixtures, squeaky doors ... and vacuum cleaners!
The common scenario was this - as soon as Howie walked into the store, the manager or one of her staff would tell him that the vacuum cleaner was broke ... it had stopped picking up things; there was no suction.Howie would give her a smile, open up the vacuum, take out the full bag and put in a fresh new one and voila ... another miracle was performed!
Oh, sometimes they were actually broken: a snapped belt or something jammed in, and he would fix that too.
Howie stuck with me until the very end of the Wool Shop years.
In the final months he diligently worked at dismantling store fixtures and hauling them back to our warehouse. As always, putting in a full day's work with no complaints.
I have many fond memories of those years with Howie ... working for him and with him.
He was a man of integrity and generosity, of humour and warmth. In some ways he was easy-going, but he was also a man of principles and values.
The world would be a much better place if it had more Howard Dettweilers.
He will be missed by many, including me.
REMEMBERING MY FATHER-IN-LAW, by BOB BUDD
I'm grateful for the opportunity to speak at Howards memorial. It's been hard the last few years but now it seems easier to recall the Howard we knew and it's been a good experience to go back. I have to say my recollections now are invariably positive ones.
It is somewhat remarkable when I look back now that Howard and I got along so well. We were so different in many ways….I remember showing up at Howard and Ruth's new home to meet them for the first time driving a 16 year old pickup last painted with flat black Tremclad and a roller. I found out soon after that Howard prized highly a shiny freshly washed and waxed vehicle.
That might have been strike one for a prospective son-in- law but I couldn't have been made to feel anymore welcome than I was that day.
We differed too in that Howard was master of organization and planning. I supported the "creativity from chaos theory".
Howard stayed at the same profession for 30 yrs with twice a day milkings but never showed anything but support and positive reaction as I moved from one somewhat risky endeavour to another.
Howard was a man of unquestioning faith I questioned everything and had faith in little, but he was content to guide with his actions and not words.
When Bev and I told Howard of our naïve plan to build our own home, on a vacant piece of land with no hydro, near Goderich, his first comment should have been "what are you thinking?" Instead he was already thinking about how he could help with the building.
I admit to seldom knowing what or how to do something at any stage of the house building process but Howard was always so positive. Maybe that's where his faith came into practice. A typical Howard response to something I would say would be "that sounds good", "I like the sound of that", "that should work out" or my favourite at the end of the day "I feel good about getting that done". Howard invariably spoke in the positive it seemed and I'm not sure if he trained himself to do that or it was just his nature, but imagine if we could all be that positive in our relationships.
And in case I didn't say it often enough at the time -thanks Howard.
I'd like to try to describe some of the images that popped into my mind the last few days.
Howard as a young farmer recently married. It's a summer evening, the moon full and the sky clear. He picks up a fork and decides to stook a little grain before bedtime. In the wee hours of the morning Howard climbs into bed with Ruth, who's wondering what kind of workaholic she married. But Howard smiles as he falls asleep because he knows he got the whole 6 acres done without burning any daylight.
I recall walking through a crowded restaurant soon after meeting Howard for the first time and wondering if we were ever going to get to the table because of all the people Howard talked to or shook hands with or shared a story with on the way.
I remember thinking at the time "was this guy the mayor or something?" I think it really was a case of when you met Howard you were well met. He was enthusiastic whether you were old friend or stranger. Even when the Ahlziemers was advanced you could extend a hand and he'd often give you a hand shake. A very good old habit that died hard.
I see Howard with an axe almost 30 years my senior putting me to shame showing me the real way to split wood. Howard grew up in an age when wood and muscle was the heating source of choice and it showed. There is a very small group of men that could do with an axe what Howard could with his big hands. I like to split wood but it really was a pleasure to stand back watch him.
I remember the rather disappointed look on the face of a man as he gave me the bill for sawing a pile of logs into lumber for our porch. When Howard heard that the fellas with the portable sawmill charged by the hour he said let me know when they are going to be there. Let's just say with Howard's help that sawmill set a production record never achieved before or since. I heard they sold that sawmill shortly thereafter I think partially out of fear Howard would show up at another job site and work their butts off.
Howard and his trusty dodge pickup at one of our many moving days saying if we put the mattress here and turn over the chair we can still get the filing cabinet and all the boxes in. You couldn't have better help on moving day. His ability to fill that truck with everything from furniture to freezer lids is close to legend.
Howard used to deliver scratched and dented freezer lids from woods that would have ended up as scrap. The guys on the loading dock would come to see how many he could fit in his truck this time. They were used in houses, chicken coops, pig barns , cold storage rooms by people all over Southern Ontario. A few weeks ago Bev and I smiled to each other as someone proudly showed off their combination solar shower and outhouse built from freezer lids. I think Howard would laugh out loud at this kind of monument to his generosity of spirit.
Lastly the image that I'll treasure the most is on the day of our house raising. George and Mary Fast, Albert and Luanna Martin, Aaron and Esther Enns and Howard and Ruth had come up the night before. It was a pleasure to watch the four working together. As the day progressed the frame got to a stage where we needed to work off the ground. I remember Howard walking quickly and confidently along those beams not the least bit afraid (unlike me) of falling. I thought to myself this guy has done this before. In reality I think Howard represented several generations of people who dedicated their efforts to helping others.
Obituary, WATERLOO REGION RECORD, Kitchener, Ontario - Apr. 6, 2009
DETTWEILER, Howard - Passed away peacefully at Sunnyside Home in his 80th year. Beloved husband of the late Ruth (Kinzie) Dettweiler (2002). Dear father of William (Bill) and his wife Donna of Tobermory, and Beverly Budd and her husband Bob of Goderich. Loved grandfather of Cory Dettweiler. Dear brother of Erma Martin and Beatrice Martin. Howard was a member of Breslau Mennonite Church where he served as treasurer and in other capacities over the years. Howard was a dairy farmer in the Breslau area until 1977. Howard's family will receive friends at Breslau Mennonite Church, 226 Woolwich St., Breslau on Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. A service of remembrance will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at Breslau Mennonite Church.
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