Heru Santoso

Heru Santoso, P.Eng., 73, of Burnaby, BC, passed away peacefully on December 1, 2025, after a courageous two-year battle with lung cancer.

He was born on June 4, 1952, in Parakan, Indonesia, as the fourth of 13 children. Growing up in a small village, he spent most of his days in nature exploring, tinkering, and making things from scratch. Following his passion for engineering, he went across continents and studied mechanical engineering in Stuttgart, Germany, and became an exceptional mechanical engineer, skilled in bringing ideas to life from concept through completion. Whether for work or for the people he cared about, Heru built with precision, creativity, and heart.

Heru’s faith in God and love for his family were the foundation of his life. His love and devotion to his wife, Grace, was beyond imagination and inspired many. He was joyful, generous, and endlessly caring, always putting others before himself.

A man of many gifts, Heru was not only a talented engineer but a true artist at heart. He found joy in painting, designing, writing, classical music, opera, and exploring new ideas. His curiosity was boundless, and his creativity touched everyone around him.

Heru is lovingly remembered by his wife, Grace; daughters Caroline and Stephanie; sons-in-law Ango and Asitha; and grandchildren Akira, Eiji, Ezra, and Keita, all of whom brought him immense pride and joy.

Heru was truly one of a kind. His legacy of love, faith, creativity, and quiet strength will live on in the many lives he touched.

A celebration of life will be held in January 2026. If you would like to attend, please contact his daughter Caroline at caroline[dot]sawamoto[at]gmail[dot]com. In lieu of flowers and to honour Heru’s lifelong generosity toward people in need, the family welcomes donations to be given to charities that reflect his compassion and values.

Papa, we will miss you every day—your smile, your joy, your kindness, your creativity, and your outpouring love for your family; but we find comfort in knowing that you are in a better place with our Father in heaven, smiling down on all of us.

We love you very very much. You are Heru, our hero. You will forever be in our hearts.