Obituary of Hans Juergen Pollhaus

Hans Juergen Pollhaus of Calgary was born in Schwelm, Germany on June 29, 1947, and passed away peacefully at home on July 10, 2023, in Calgary, surrounded by family members.

Hans immigrated to Canada when he was six years old with his parents Elsbeth and Herman Pollhaus in August of 1953. On June 6th, 1957, they had an addition to their family, his brother Charles Pollhaus. Hans started his career working with his father at Foothills Steel Foundry where he trained to be a welder and a metallurgist for thirteen years. In 1965 he met the love of his life at the age of eighteen; Inga Gohmann who was sixteen and became his wife for 57 years. Hans was very proud of his two daughters; Veronica Pollhaus who has two sons, Jamie Ouellette and Sheldon Ouellette and Catherine D. (Pollhaus) Olszewski who is married to Shawn Olszewski and has one daughter Taija Jean Olszewski.

He then incorporated his own company Beaumont Developing Co. Ltd. June 21, 1978. It was not only a welding shop, but we repaired drilling tools for oil companies. Working hard all his life, he invented the Hard Surface Welding Rod. He retired at the age of 67.

Hans had so many hobbies. He loved to go hunting, fishing, camping, ice fishing, and gold panning, all in his younger years. He always tried to teach his girls how to survive if necessary. They learned, but the hard way. After the girls grew up, he had two grandsons and one granddaughter to enjoy his life with. His most memorable times were spending time with his grandchildren, Jamie, Sheldon, and Taija Jean. They were always a joy to be with and he had new eyes and ears to teach.

Hans also belonged to so many different clubs and organizations. He was a Mason of Crescent Lodge #87, A Shriner with the Al Azhar Shriners, ROJ, Calgary Plymouth Car Club, and the Bowness Legion. Of course, Hans’ favorite hobby was restoring cars. His first restoration was a 1928 Ford Model A Special. It took many years to finish that one, but our youngest daughter, Cathy got her wish. After postponing her wedding for a year, she and Shawn did get married in the Model A, and Veronica got married in the 1957 Plymouth Belvedere Convertible that he had restored the frame of. Many of his cars were his pride and joy, too many to mention.

Hans was also blessed with many friends, and family members, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews; all of who have a story to tell of their Uncle Hans. He loved each and every one of you and he will be dearly missed and forever remembered by all of them and his family. If anything, they will miss his stories.

Hans is also survived by his mother of 96 years and his brother Charles Pollhaus and his family. Hans was predeceased by his father Herman Pollhaus in 1998.

Rest in Peace my love. You will always be remembered and always loved.

I’m “Really Gonna Miss You.” – Smokey Robinson

Not Easy to Say “Goodbye” – Kenny Rogers

A Celebration of Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Hans Pollhaus, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.