Dick, Peter George (1905-2006)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2006 Sep 1 p. 25

Birth date: 1905 Oct 18

text of obituary:

PETER GEORGE DICK

Peter Dick died peacefully July 21 at nearly 101 years. He was born Oct. 18, 1905 to Gerhard and Aganeta Dick in Alexanderkrone, Ukraine. At 5, he moved with his family to Siberia, and at 21, immigrated to Canada to "spy out the land" for them. He settled in Kitchener, Ont. where he worked on a farm and met Anna Becker, whom he married June 15, 1930. At Anna's suggestion, Peter made a commitment to become a Christian and live a life of service. He sang in the choir, served as a deacon, joined the Gideons, and opened his home to immigrant families who had escaped the Soviet Union during WWII. Peter and Anna struggled to make a life during the Great Depression, first on a farm and then in the city of Kitchener. They moved to Denver after retirement, travelling all over the world. When Anna died in 1989, Peter moved back to Ontario. He loved to read, write, and stay informed about things. He rode the wave of life with curiosity, elegance, and vitality. Predeceased by Anna; infant daughter Eleanor; he is mourned by children Elfrieda Heinrichs, John, Marina Unger, and Debra Classen; 2 sisters.