Hans Kaufmann was born in Teufen, Appenzell on March 12th, 1948. After graduating from forestry school, with nothing but a suitcase and $500 to his name, he ventured across the Atlantic Ocean to Canada. He landed in Manitoba in 1971 where he went to work in the logging camps of the Canadian North. He decided to travel west across Saskatchewan and Alberta, whereupon crossing the Rocky Mountains he realized he had found his home. He settled down in Cranbrook where he worked with Crestbrook Forest Industries which later became Tembec. In 1977 he was joined by Ursula, and they married in 1979, and would go on to raise four children in Wasa. In 1996 he quit his post with Tembec and started his own consulting business, Forsta Contracting. Hans’ career was always a source of passion and pride and he worked tirelessly to support his family and community.
Hans was involved in many community organizations and activities. He was a devoted member of the Wasa Lion’s Club for which he received several awards over his 34 years of service. Hans was influential in building and developing the Blue Lake Forest Education Society and was an active board member for several years. As a lover of the outdoors, he enjoyed many sports such as soccer and cross-country skiing, and spent much time camping, hiking and hunting in the backcountry.
In 2006, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s paired dementia. Despite the numerous challenges he faced, he remained, active, positive, and continued to enjoy life. Hans Kaufmann passed away at his much-loved home in the mountains, surrounded by his family on Sunday, June 29th, 2014. He is survived by his loving wife Ursula and four children, Andrea, Barbara, Claudia, and Daniel, and grandson, Aiden, and sisters in Switzerland, Ursula and Sylvia. A Celebration Of Life Service for Hans will be held on Sunday, July 13th, 2014 at 2:00 pm at the Wasa Community Hall.