The man who represented Tumbler Ridge when the town was built passed away September 12 at the age of 92.
According to his family, Frank passed away just two weeks after his wife of 71 years, Joan. According to a note sent to Tumbler Ridge by one of his sons, both of the Oberle’s passed peacefully and without suffering.
The obituary continues:
“Frank was predeceased by his sister Lina Sattler, his two brothers Erich (Edith) and Ludwig (Hilde), his parents Adolf and Rosa (Leibold) and his son-in-law Michael Vaira. Frank is survived by: daughters Ursula Vaira (Gordon May) and Isabell (Gary) Hayes; sons Frank (Debbie) Oberle Jr. and Peter (Kelly) Oberle; grandchildren Mario (Robyn) Vaira and Jess Vaira, Lisa Hayes (Jordan Townsend), Jennifer Hayes, Kevin (Leanne) Oberle, Sadie Oberle (Tyrell Johnson) and Asia Oberle; great- grandchildren Kaden, Aria, Zai, Grady, Henley, Emersyn; and his nieces, nephews and their families in Germany.
“Frank was born in Forchheim, Germany and immigrated to Canada in 1952. His determination for a new life started him on a journey that no one could have envisioned. It began in Canada as a baker, logger, miner, and insurance salesman. In Chetwynd, British Columbia, he became a business owner and town Mayor. The culmination of his full and varied career was an incredible 20-year period representing the Prince George Peace River riding as their Federal Member of Parliament. Frank held many Cabinet positions in Ottawa. In particular, as a member of the Privy Council, he served as Critic for Mines and Forestry, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of State (Mines), Minister of State (Science and Technology), Minister of State (Forestry) and Minister of Forestry. Upon retirement, Frank authored two autobiographical books.
“Frank was a loving husband, father, grandfather (Opa) and great grandpa. Nothing made him happier than celebrating family accomplishments. He was the family’s biggest cheerleader. If Frank was asked what advice he would leave his family, it would certainly be this – if you want to do something worthwhile, go make someone else’s life better. It was his mission in life to help those less fortunate and to leave the world a better place. Dad – mission accomplished! We are all very proud. Rest in peace, we miss you and love you forever.
“A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date. Donations in Frank’s memory may be made by sponsoring a child through Plan Canada (Plancanada.ca) – one of many charities that he and his wife supported.”
Oberle was an outspoke critic of the idea of building Tumbler Ridge. You can read an interview we did with him a few year’s back here.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
