We regret to advise of the death of Peter Pryce Heide on 14 March 2013 at Chilliwack General Hospital at the age of 94.
Peter was born near Omsk, Siberia in 1919 and emigrated with his family to Manitoba in 1926. As the oldest child, Peter attended school and learned English. He then spent the evenings teaching the others in his family to speak the language. When the Second World War broke out, Peter enlisted and went overseas as part of the Canadian Forestry Corps and was stationed outside Inverness, Scotland.
After the war, he settled with his wartime bride in Abbotsford, moving to Chilliwack when he rejoined the Canadian Armed Forces as a Royal Canadian Engineer. He was initially posted to the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering and then later posted to Valcartier, Quebec and Whitehorse Yukon, with the Northwest Highway System The family returned to Chilliwack in 1963 and Peter retired from the Forces in 1967.
Following his military career Peter became an instructor for the Department of Northern Development and Indian Affairs for several years. He then taught Heavy Equipment Operations at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George and Malaspina College in Nanaimo, retiring from the college in 1982. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and the family enjoyed many camping trips all across Canada. Curling and cribbage were also passions in which he excelled; actually winning at crib several days before he passed away.
There will be a viewing for family and close friends on 18 March between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm at Henderson's Funeral Home in Chilliwack. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
