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OTHMAR FURER
Born: Aug 08, 1936
Date of Passing: Jun 21, 2016
Offer Condolences or Memory Make a donation to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation
OTHMAR FURER August 8, 1936 - June 21, 2016 Othmar Furer died peacefully in his home with family at his side on June 21, 2016. He will be deeply missed by his wife Vreni; his daughters, Monica (Paul) and Patricia (Hal); and his grandchildren, Christopher, Michelle, Matthew, and Sarah. Othmar is also survived by his six sisters and three brothers in Switzerland and their families. Othmar was born in the small town of Gossau, Switzerland to Otto and Maria Furer. He was the sixth of ten children and grew up in a busy home above the family bakery. Othmar never learned to bake but he did learn to love sweet things and to value the importance of family and hard work. After his formal schooling, he apprenticed as a tool and die maker and then he worked for a Swiss telephone company. Othmar met Vreni when he showed up to repair the telephones at her place of work. They were married in 1960 and started their lives together by spending six months studying and having fun in Paris. After they returned to Switzerland, they decided that more adventure was in order and in 1962 they immigrated to Canada. They lived in Toronto for many years and then spent eight years in Montreal before moving to Winnipeg in 1981. Othmar enjoyed many happy years at E. H. Price, ultimately as vice-president of manufacturing. His most enjoyable work experiences were the years he spent establishing Price Asia in Singapore and the time he spent in Atlanta setting up a manufacturing plant there. He spoke of his times in Singapore with Vreni with particular fondness. After his "retirement", Othmar worked as a manufacturing consultant for OEM and traveled to various companies from Two Hills, Alberta, to Nimbo, China. He was an expert at efficiency and his desk remains a masterpiece of organization. Othmar worked hard all his life but his biggest joy came from his family. He was a devoted family man and he always put his wife and children first. He supported and encouraged his daughters in all they did and was endlessly proud of his grandchildren. He loved meeting people and trying new things so traveling was always the perfect fit for him. Traveling with his wife and family gave him tremendous pleasure and he enjoyed the planning of his trips almost as much as the travel itself. We all treasure our memories of family holidays, whether they were small trips to Gimli or Kenora, or big adventures like our family Caribbean cruise and our recent family trip to Switzerland and Paris. Othmar also found pleasure in small things like going for walks, working out at the Reh-fit Centre, reading, watching hockey, and working on projects around the home. Othmar was a man of courage and he dealt with his illness with strength and grace. His sense of humor made his disease easier for us all to bear. We would like to thank Dr. James Johnston, Irena Hibbert, Jayne Kasian, Dr. Arbind Dubey, and Dr. Don Houston for their kind and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations to the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation to support lymphoma research would be sincerely appreciated. Cremation has taken place and a memorial celebration will be scheduled at a later date.
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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 25, 2016
Condolences & Memories (7 entries)
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I only just learned of Othmar's passing, and wanted to say how much I admired him. He was a fellow Toastmaster in the Peak Performers Toastmasters Club, and I learned so much from his leadership, kindness and humour. Some people you simply don't forget as years go by, and Othmar was one of them. Rest easy, friend. - Posted by: Jenny Gates (friend) on: Jun 11, 2025
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I met Othmar when I joined Peak Performers Toastmasters in 1997. Othmar was a regular participant at our weekly meetings. He made no secret of his conviction that Swiss chocolate was the best in the world. He enjoyed talking about his work - lean manufacturing - and about the importance of proactivity. I remember two one-liners: "If it's going to be, it's up to me" and "Ready, fire aim." My two most recent memories of Othmar are (1) meeting him at the foot of the escalators in the Winnipeg airport as he was returning from Singapore, and (2) at a show home in River Park South, where he was thinking of buying. I do not remember Othmar without a smile on his face. My sincere condolences. - Posted by: Marvin Dyck (Toastmasters) on: Nov 30, 2016
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I reported to Othmar during his brief career at Westeel. As has been said elsewhere, he was a great guy, and very knowledgeable about many things. I used him as a reference when I was leaving the company, and am grateful that his glowing reference helped me secure the new position Rip, Othmar - Posted by: Phil (Fellow worker) on: Nov 26, 2016
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I worked at Willmar Windows as VP of Manufacturing and shared many ideas with Othmar when he worked at EH Price as VP of Manufacturing. We both had challenging times and Othmar was always positive of the results that would be produced even before they would come together. We spoke about Toastmasters a great deal and inspired me to join a club. Othmar was a positive influence. He was very proud of his family and all that they were accomplishing. He will be greatly missed. - Posted by: Gordon Seier (Friend ) on: Jul 08, 2016
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Othmar was really a family man. Whenever we visited Winnipeg, we were received with open arms and always felt at home. We're so happy he was able to travel to Switzerland 2 years ago, where he could show his grandchildren where he grew up and where his roots were. His beautiful smile, his warmth, his honest openness and positive attitude will be remembered forever. - Posted by: Fränzi (Niece) on: Jun 29, 2016
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Condolences to Vreni and family. I worked with Othmar for a number of years at E.H Price, I would have to say I never met a more pleasant man. Rest in peace Othmar. - Posted by: Zanny Kuchta (Fellow worker) on: Jun 29, 2016
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I met Othmar through our involvement in a very high expectations Toastmaster's club called Peak Performers. He was a stalwart member of the club and a great supporter of public speaking. It was such a pleasure to have him as a fellow member of the club. Strangely enough Othmar and Vreni lived in the neighborhood where I grew up so I often said as I passed their house - that's where Othmar lives. Strange! I hope to have the pleasure of attending his memorial when it is held and get a chance to meet with other people who knew him through the Toastmaster club to share all our great memories and celebrate his life. - Posted by: Ianthe (Peak Performers Toastmasters) on: Jun 25, 2016