Obituary of Kenneth SCHEELAR

November 5, 1943 – Calgary, Alberta
March 28, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Kenneth (Ken) Scheelar, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at the age of 76 years.

Ken was born in Calgary, AB on November 5, 1943 and moved to Terrace, BC as a young boy. He developed a love of the outdoors, fishing and, most notably, working on cars. At a young age he drove and repaired cars for logging companies, using his experience to become a national award-winning driver. 

Ken attended Notre Dame College in Nelson, BC and the University of Calgary, graduating with a degree in Commerce. He went on to work for Revenue Canada for over twenty-five years. Throughout university Ken worked in radio and was active in performing arts, where he met the love of his life, Margo Husby. 

Ken and Margo married on May 18, 1968 and moved to Naramata, BC in 1974, where he built the family home on a 7-acre fruit orchard that he loved. He coached minor hockey for many years in Penticton, having significant influence on many young men. 

Ken earned a pilot’s license through the Penticton Flying Club and spent many happy hours flying two and four-seater airplanes. When flying in the area, he loved to “buzz” the house and “waggle the wings” to say hello to those of us unfortunate folks who were not in the air with him that day.

Ken, with his beautiful tenor voice, was an active member of many choral and performing arts organizations. Many of his lifelong friendships were made through the Naramata Community Choir and he continued to join them for special events long after moving back to Calgary. He had the opportunity to play “Max” in multiple productions of “The Sound of Music” in both Penticton and Calgary, a role that seemed to be a natural fit for him. After moving back to Calgary in 1988, he developed a love of barbershop music and sang in a quartet called Swing Shift with Darcy, Lyle and Chuck. Those friendships remained very precious to him throughout the remainder of his life. Ken was also a member of One Accord, a Calgary-based community choir. He was a member of the Apple Computer Club for many years and loved learning more about this technology. He loved to attend the CPO with friends and family. He was a regular at the Ironwood Stage and Grill for the Big Band shows, helping to sell CDs of the band during intermission and after the show.

He will be most remembered for his generous spirit and willingness to help anyone who needed it. He was a man of his word and when he said he would do something, it was done—and done well.

Ken is survived by his son Greg, daughter-in-law Eileen and grandchildren Annika, Arlen, Emma and Xavier of Winnipeg, MB; daughter Andrea and grandchildren Naylan and Paytan of Chestermere. He is also survived by his brother Colin and sister-in-law, Jan of St. Albert, AB; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Ken was predeceased by Margo, his parents Orville and Genevieve, and his beloved in-laws Archie and Phyllis Husby.

A Celebration of Ken’s Life will be held a later date. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Ken’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Dr. Margo Husby Mature Student Bursary Fund at the University of Calgary. 

In living memory of Kenneth Scheelar, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD SE, CALGARY, AB, T2X 3J3,  Telephone: 403- 256-9575.