Frank Ludwig Steinbauer

Our beloved Frankie is not with us anymore.

After much suffering he left the pain behind and went "Knocking on Heaven's Door".

We are incredibly sad.

But we will meet again, one day, Frankie. Somewhere, sometime.

For now: Have a good flight!

A big "Bear Hug" from your wife, Elke and your daughter, Katrin.

About Frankie:

Born and raised in Burglengenfeld, Bavaria, Germany, Frank completed professional training as Butcher & Sausage-maker (Master of Crafts), Chef (Red Seal equivalent), Pastry Chef and Dietary Chef.

After his mandatory military service Frank signed up with the German Army for a 12-year contract.

He was with the 1,/ Supply Battalion #43 and served in the Barracks of Weiden, Amberg und Hemau with lots of field training in Hohenfels, Europe's largest Troops Training area (Elvis Presley was there, but way before Frank's time).

In his Army days, Frank was overseeing kitchens with up to 3000 meals per day output. Cooking was one of his passions even then, and that remained.

He also had this "typical" excitable Chef temper that is often even more exaggerated in movies.

His Commanding Officer once said that when Chef Frank gets mad in the kitchen because things are not going right, he can be heard on the other end of the barracks. " The Steinbauer is "plaerring" (talking extremely loud (LOL)) again ... everyone found it amusing.

On weekends, Frank followed his other passion:

Rock & Pop Music.

He was one of the DJs for his hometown's famous Rock Nightclub SOUND for almost 20 years.

He was also an avid collector of vinyl records.

1991 Frank started dating his wife of now 33 years, Elke.

1992 came their first tourist trip to Canada.

Long story short:

The young couple fell in love with the country and especially with British Columbia.

After several trips, covering almost all provinces and territories, in 1994 Frank and Elke purchased Hutton, BC, a beautiful country property in the Upper Fraser Valley. At first more holiday trips.

In 1999 the couple moved to BC permanently.

Both Frank and Elke continued their respective careers in the culinary field and tourism/hospitality field.

Many incredible adventures and lots of good memories followed.

In 2008 Frank and Elke welcomed daughter Katrin into their family.

Over the years Frankie has been Chef in large industrial kitchens and canteens as well as in small specialty restaurants; the most "famous" stints, notably, the "William Tell" in Vancouver, just across the Big Stadium on Beatty Street (I don't know whether that even exists any more, since the owner has since died), and in Blue River for Mike Wiegele Heli-Skiing.

During that time he met Arnold Schwarzenegger and John Cusack and more celebrities.

Frankie catered to logging and mining camps and a number of care homes.

Most recently it was the Hart Pioneer Seniors Centre and Meals on Wheels who could enjoy his skills.

Wherever he worked, no-one will forget his excellent cooking.

And his Black Forest Cakes.

Many contacts from all these places have survived; sometimes over decades, and turned to livelong friendships.

In his final days it was wonderful comfort for Frankie that so many of his colleagues and friends took the time to call him or see him.

It did perk him up.

Thank you, all for being there when he needed you.

In his free time Frank, from when he was a little boy, always enjoyed building things; his most ambitious project being the restoration of the historical church of Aleza Lake, BC, which he dismantled board by board and reconstructed at our property in Hutton, BC.

I did help ... a little ... well a lot, but Frank did the actual design work.

I was just pulling nails and carrying boards. (Elke). And vice versa ... hammering nails in and carrying boards.

It was a lot of fun!

Frankie will be remembered for his sunny disposition, his open, friendly, fun-loving character, and the unconditional love for his family.

He was full of life and enjoyed meeting people and making friends…

And he really loved good food!

Frank was predeceased by his grandparents and his brother Juergen.

He is survived by wife Elke, and daughter Katrin, as well as his parents Renate and Toni Steinbauer.

Also grieving are Elke's parents Ute und Max Hierl with her brother Jochen and wife Daniela, numerous relatives in Germany and many friends in both Germany and Canada..

Oh Frankie! We miss you so much!

Frank will be cremated in Prince George, and we will fly his ashes to Germany where he will be laid to rest in the Steinbauer family grave in Burglengenfeld.

A small gathering to celebrate Frank's life will be held upon our return from Germany at the Hart Pioneer Centre.

Date and time will be announced at a later time.

The paperwork will be interesting. So give it some time.

I will keep you all posted.

Very special thanks goes to all our friends who took the time to either visit in person or call Frankie at the Hospice House.

Especially Jorge who came from Aggasiz to visit. Thank you.

Then of course Lorraine, Debbie, Joan ("Nurse Ratched") ... smile, Willi & Heidi, Helen & Marty, Mark of Centennial, Ray, Barb, Eldon & Christine, Richard & Josephine, Brittany, Diana and more.

Ten thousand "Thank-You's" for you being there for Frankie!

We also want to express our gratitude to Dr. Attia, Dr. Geddes, Dr. Warkentin as well as to the doctors, the staff, the nurses and the care aids at the Cancer Clinic, at the Hospital and especially at the Hospice House for taking such good care of Frankie.

You are all doing an amazing job! Thank you all so much for being there!

For Frankie.