Franz Dinnendahl

Obituary of Franz Peter Heinrich Dinnendahl

March 4, 1937 – Kleve, Germany

June 13, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

 

We are very saddened to announce the passing of Franz Dinnendahl, our dear husband, father, Opa, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend of many. Franz passed away on Monday, June 13, 2022, at the age of 85 years.

 

He was predeceased by his parents, Karl and Margarete Dinnendahl; and his infant brother Peter.

 

Franz leaves behind his loving wife Anette (nee Stehwien) of nearly 50 years, his sons, Daniel with wife Verena, Andy with wife Jenny, and David with wife Alli. Also left to mourn are seven grandchildren, Cedar, Rain, Oskar, Connor, Thomas, Frances, and Charlie, and his sisters, Maria, and Gretel with husband Peter and children Arno and Guido with their families.

 

Franz's life was punctuated with many adventures and travels; as a young man growing up in Germany, he travelled throughout Europe and later, Canada, USA and South America, Australia, and New Zealand. Franz studied Engineering for six years in Stuttgart and Munich (Institutes of Technology), a choice he made with his ancestor in mind, Franz Dinnendahl, builder of the first steam engine in Germany for coal mining in 1803.

 

Franz immigrated to Canada in 1967. He worked and studied further in Saskatoon, SK, before settling in Calgary, AB, where he taught Math, Physics and Fluid Mechanics at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) for 34 years.

 

Franz had a love for nature, especially the Rocky Mountains, and the outdoors. He enjoyed hiking, cycling, and sailing. He also loved to chat, always meeting new people, and taking the time to listen. A great intellect, he had a wealth of knowledge on nearly everything. His friends and colleagues enjoyed his company for great discussions on social issues and science, and so much more. Franz had a unique gift of enlightening those around him with his knowledge. His enjoyment of this was evident in his chosen career, a lifelong dedication to education.

 

This dedication and his memorable teaching style took him from the classrooms at the University of Saskatchewan and SAIT, to remote First Nations communities, and all the way to Kazakhstan, Central Asia. His family, and students in his neighborhood of Rosedale will also have fond memories of his tutoring.

 

Franz is remembered as a funny, lovable, and wise man, an amazing and very inspiring human being. He left a solid mark on many. We, his close family, and all whose path he crossed, are missing him deeply.

 

Franz wishes for cremation and a very quiet, private good-bye have been honoured. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the David Suzuki Foundation at www.davidsuzuki.org.

 

The family would like to thank the medical team at Foothills Hospital for their care and kindness.

 

In living memory of Franz Dinnendahl, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

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