Obituary of Benno Theodore Pflanz

June 17, 1941 – Schwaebisch-Gmund, Germany

August 19, 2021 – Cochrane, Alberta

Our beloved Ben passed away peacefully, at home, on Thursday, August 19, 2021 at the age of 80 years.

Born in Germany, Ben went to school in Alberta eventually graduating with a degree in Economics from University of Calgary where he met his wife, Connie. They shared a long and rewarding career in the Canadian Foreign Service with assignments in Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kenya, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and the UK, with stints in Canada in between. Ben’s distinguished foreign service career included Canadian Head of Mission (Sri Lanka and Maldives) and Immigration Program Manager, in London, UK.

Throughout his career, Ben Pflanz was an open-hearted and admired colleague. He enjoyed helping people and developing Canada’s immigration worldwide. Building on his immigration career, Ben played a key role in the Canadian Immigration Historical Society.

He is missed by friends and family at home and abroad. Ben leaves behind grieving children, Charles, Simon (Gina), Walter (Katie), and Emily (John Paul); nine grandchildren, Evan, Carmen, Raymond, Olivia, Lauren, Nicole, Benno, Piper and Willow, brother Otto (Cheryl), and sister Kaeti (Ben), as well as wider family members including nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by wife Connie and son Peter.

There will be no memorial service. Relatives and friends may celebrate Ben’s life in their own way.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Parkinson Association of Alberta, 120, 6835 Railway Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 2V6 Telephone: (403) 243-9901, www.parkinsonassociation.ca.

In living memory of Benno Pflanz, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Cochrane, 369 RAILWAY STREET, COCHRANE, AB T4C 2E2, Telephone: 403-932-4740.