Otto Hans Heinrich Haebler

August 1, 1929 – July 21, 2019

Hans passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family in the early morning of July 21st 2019. Born August 1st 1929 to Hans Haebler and Adele nee Frerking in Dresden, Germany; Hans emigrated to Canada in 1951 seeking a better life. Landing in Quebec City he worked in the logging and mining industry, taking carpentry courses by correspondence while he worked at Kitimat in Northern BC. He finally moved to Vancouver in 1954 where he met the love of his life, Dorothy Anderson from Scotland, while skiing at Hollyburn Mountain. They married in 1956 and in 1959 they started Haebler Construction and built it up to the established award winning firm it is today. They also started a family and enjoyed 18 years together until Dorothy’s death due to Cancer in 1974. The Haebler Group, as the company is now called, is run by Hans’s oldest son Roland and his grandson Thomas. Hans was the force behind Haebler Construction and left a brilliant legacy that remains, at its core, an old fashioned family business. They have built many of Vancouver’s most dynamic and iconic buildings. He was a respected and highly skilled builder, sought after by the likes of Arthur Erickson and Bing Thom for his rigorous attention to detail, fairness and craftsmanship. He spent many hours reading from his extensive library, taking photographs, listening to opera, watching European soccer and travelling. He was an avid history buff, enjoyed art, watching films, skiing, hiking and eating delicious food. He was utterly loved by his surviving children, Roland (Catherine) and Christine (Trig Singer) as well as his grandchildren; Thomas, Karl, and Anna. He was the pillar of our lives and meant so much to our extended family and dear friends from all over the world. The family wants to acknowledge the amazing medical staff of VGH for their professional and extraordinary care of him in his final weeks of life.

A Memorial will be held on August 28th at the Unitarian Church at 49th and Oak at 3:00pm, with reception to follow.