Norbert Heinrich Wolfgang Wessler

Norbert Heinrich Wolfgang Wessler was born on April 16, 1936 in Schwesternhof, Ostpreußen, Germany to Heinrich & Luise Wessler. The family owned a clothing and fabric store. He was the 6th in a family of 9 children. As the Russian army was advancing in January 1945, his mother and siblings fled to Pennigbüttel-Wiste in Niedersachsen, West Germany, near Bremen. The flight from East Prussia involved a perilous crossing of the Baltic Sea on an overcrowded ship. Some of the ships involved in the evacuation of East Prussia were sunk by Russian submarines. Only women and children were allowed to leave, so Norbert’s father remained behind to be captured by the Russians.

As refugees, the family initially billeted on a farm, living in one room. Food was scarce, and Norbert and Joachim were sent to Switzerland for about six months in order to get something to eat. In Pennigbüttel Norbert attended school and first discovered the joys of swimming. Norbert came to faith in the Lord Jesus and was baptized on September 14, 1947 at 11 years old. In 1949 Norbert’s father was released from Russian captivity and was reunited with the family.

In 1951 the family immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, welcomed by his father’s sister Emma Hass and her husband Albert. Norbert then attended John Oliver High school for three years. His studies were sabotaged by his limited familiarity with the English language and lack of time. Every day after school and all day on Saturdays, he rode his three- speed bicycle downtown to his job as a telegram boy. He used his bicycle to deliver telegrams all over the lower mainland, often returning home close to midnight. He was in great shape and knew every street! Later in life, he could navigate the city without a map. When time allowed, he and his brother Joachim enjoyed exploring local wilderness and climbing mountains.

Around 1955, Norbert took a job as private secretary to Baron von Blomberg, an American public relations consultant. The position was arranged by his older brother Gerhard, who remained in Germany. The Baron was based out of Boston, Massachusetts, and Norbert began to travel with the Baron to countries in Europe, Israel, Greece and Africa. The pair advocated and solved problems for a variety of clients including charities and exiled royalty. He had many interesting and improbable adventures. These included: being evacuated from Israel on an American destroyer when a war broke out, meeting royal figures including King Zog of Albania, and exploring the Italian Riviera in a Ferrari belonging to an American heiress. He took many photographs, compiled into a slide show which became a family favorite. Norbert saw the world, completed his high school education by correspondence, and obtained a Junior Executive Diploma through Bryant and Stratton Business school in Boston in 1960.

When he returned home to Vancouver, he met Gerda Drews, a friend of his oldest sister Inge. Gerda often visited the Wessler family home on East 57th street, where she fell love with Norbert’s picture displayed on the mantlepiece. Love blossomed between the two and Norbert & Gerda were married on September 21, 1961. Norbert began his business career with Household Finance, transitioning to the Bank of Nova Scotia, and eventually becoming branch manager at various locations around the lower mainland until he retired in 1999.

During one of the transfers, Norbert and Gerda spent 2 years in Penticton, where they welcomed their son Andreas in April, 1964. In 1965 the young family moved back to the lower mainland. They bought their first house in North Burnaby and welcomed their daughter, Corinna in 1967. A transfer to Victoria occurred from 1969-1972, followed by another move back to the house in Burnaby. In the mid 70s Norbert was promoted to branch manager, opening a new branch in Coquitlam. As this branch was a top performer in BC, he and other managers (with spouses) from successful bank locations across Canada were treated to a week’s vacation in Jamaica.

Norbert continued to take more business classes in night school, was very involved in his church, and spent countless hours with his family as well as extended family. Norbert still loved swimming and hiking, introducing these activities to his children. The family went frequently to lakes and ocean beaches. Mount Seymour was a favourite spot for hiking. Vacations began to extend to Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast, where the family enjoyed many summer vacations. On Norbert & Gerda’s 25th anniversary, the couple travelled to Maui for the first time. Hawaii made such a favorable impression on them that they took Andreas and Corinna there for a vacation in 1994 and on numerous occasions after that, eventually including grandchildren.

After retirement, Norbert and Gerda moved to South Surrey and began traveling at least once or twice a year with family or with their good friends, Kuno and Irma. They cruised all over the world, from Europe, to the Mediterranean, Egypt, Israel, Russia, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, North and South America, going through the Panama Canal many times.

Although travel was exciting, nothing exhilarated Norbert & Gerda more than the arrival of their grandchildren: Tristan & Tahlia, Corinna & Vaughn’s children; and Cora, Verena & Ari, Andreas and Michelle’s children. They would travel between Nanaimo and Bellingham to visit, attend music concerts, school events, loving all of them dearly.

Norbert faithfully and lovingly cared for Gerda, as her dementia took hold. They celebrated 59 years of marriage just before Gerda passed on in October 2020. In March of 2022, Norbert began a new phase of life at Amica White Rock, where he lived in an independent apartment for two years. We often joked that it was like a Cruise Ship on land. For the final 2 years of Norbert’s life, he lived with dementia and was moved to the memory care neighborhood at Amica, where he was well cared for by capable and loving staff. After a short stay in Hospital in early 2026 Norbert was able to return to his home at Amica, where he spent his final days peacefully in palliative care surrounded by his family and friends. On Monday, January 26, Norbert went into the waiting arms of his Savior, Jesus, and of the love of his life, Gerda.

Norbert will be fondly remembered for his cheerfulness, humor, kindness, decency, and strong faith.