Reinhard passed away peacefully at home at the age of 86. He is lovingly remembered and deeply missed by Elisabeth, his wife of 58 years, daughters Angela (Paul) and Sandra (Randy), son Peter (Yona), grandsons Dawson and Evan, brother Lothar (Christa), brother-in-law Manfred, pets Ruby and Finley, and many other family and friends. He was predeceased by his sister Christine and brother Dietrich.
Born in Berlin, Germany in 1931 to Dr. Julius and Hedwig Mühlenfeld and the second of four children, Reinhard’s life began with a happy if short childhood in Berlin.
World War 2 began when Reinhard was eleven and when it ended he and his three siblings Dietrich, Lothar and Christine were orphaned, and adopted by different families to live separate lives.
After the war ended, Reinhard left Germany to work as a farmhand in England - an unlikely and challenging place for a young German in post war times. Reinhard worked hard, saved his farm wages and, with hopes of becoming a farm manager, enrolled himself in agricultural college in 1948.
While in England, Reinhard met Elisabeth Benz and in 1959 they married in Dymock, Gloucestershire. Shortly afterwards they moved to Bridgnorth where Reinhard had taken a job as farm manager, and started a family; having three children Angela, Sandra, and Peter.
Always a believer in the value of education, Reinhard studied to become an industrial engineer and in 1966 took a position to oversee production operations at Imperial Typewriters in Hull, Yorkshire.
In 1975, Reinhard was asked to oversee a start-up canola processor in Sexsmith, Alberta, and the entire family relocated to Edmonton for what they expected would be a two-year contract and family adventure.
However, after the contract expired Reinhard saw another opportunity in Alberta and together with a small group of friends, founded Champion Feed Services - a small Barrhead feed mill that would expand into a group of companies including three feed mills, retail stores, hay cube and oat processing facilities.
In 1985 Reinhard created Champion Petfoods, a pet food start-up with 5 employees serving local markets. Today, Champion has grown to over 500 employees, and its award-winning ACANA and ORIJEN foods are distributed across Canada and in 90 countries across the world.
At 79, Reinhard retired after 25 years with Champion Petfoods. His career was punctuated by several awards, including Entrepreneur of the Year for Western Canada, Manufacturer of the Year for Western Canada and Canada’s Export Award. Champion’s ACANA and ORIJEN pet foods have received more awards than any other pet food maker and are Canada's best selling pet specialty brands.
Throughout his successes, Reinhard’s approach of treating people honestly and respectfully never wavered. “Decent and generous” are usually the first words that employees, business partners, and friends use to describe him. Reinhard made time for people and was always willing to give someone a chance and help them out. He was humble, fair and kind.
In 2014, Reinhard was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence, an achievement he was most proud of.
We will miss him dearly.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Reinhard's memory to the Hope Mission.
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