Rudiger von Massow: Father. Scientist. Volunteer. Outdoorsman. Born April 12, 1932, in Demnitz, Germany; died Jan. 18, 2024, in Guelph, Ont., from dementia-related illness; aged 91.
Rudiger von MassowCourtesy of family
Rudi was born on his parents’ farm in Eastern Germany, the third of four children. The Second World War broke out when he was seven years old. As the war was ending Rudi’s mother sent him west to her brother’s farm to protect Rudi from the advancing Russians. At 12, he took the 230-kilometre train ride by himself.
Rudi was 13 when American troops advanced to his uncle’s farm. There was shooting and mortar fire nearby and Rudi woke one morning to find himself alone. Overnight, Rudi’s uncle had taken his family into the forest, killed them and then killed himself to avoid capture. A promise from Rudi’s uncle to his mother had saved his life. Rudi was shaken but there wasn’t time to mourn.
The Americans arrived and told the locals to leave as more fighting was expected. He and a neighbour took a horse and buggy and fled west. They stole grain from fields for the horse and begged for food. Rudi alone would end up in a home for refugee children where he was eventually found by family. It was only much later in life that Rudi would open up about his wartime experiences to his wife.
In the early 1950s, Rudi immigrated to Canada to find work, following his older brother and sister. He worked on farms in Southwestern Ontario, then, later, nights in a Hamilton steel mill. During the day, he studied for his Canadian high-school diploma, then attended McMaster University where he received a bachelor of science – one of the first two graduates in the university’s first metallurgy program.
Rudi began working at Alcan in Lac Saint-Jean, Que., but took a break in 1961 to visit his parents in Germany. He met Maria Elisabeth von Zabeltitz at an event and they began to spend time together. He proposed, she accepted, and he returned to Germany in February of 1962 for the wedding. They set sail to Canada for their honeymoon but Maria spent most of the voyage in bed with seasickness.
The couple welcomed two children Michael and Caroline. While in Kingston, Rudi left Alcan to begin graduate school at Queens. With two kids and a mortgage, the couple found it difficult to make ends meet and Rudi accepted a job with Atomic Energy of Canada in Pinawa, Man.
Rudi embraced life in Manitoba. The family went to Winnipeg for theatre, ballet and concerts and Rudi and Maria tried to ensure the kids learned German.
Rudi loved cross-country skiing, he cut trails and was a volunteer at the first Manitoba Loppet in 1973. At 73 years old, he was the fastest male in his age group during the 30th anniversary race.
Rudi took his children on canoe trips on the Manigotagan River and in Whiteshell Provincial Park. The family explored Canada, too, heading East and West to see family and friends.
Rudi found good in everyone. He spent many years volunteering, including with the John Howard Society helping parolees adjust to life outside. He broke rules and gave them money, which once led to him being robbed at knifepoint when the parolee didn’t think he’d given enough.
In retirement, Rudi and Marie tended a huge vegetable garden at their cottage on Lake Winnipeg and doted on their grandsons. In later years they moved to Fergus, Ont., to be closer to Michael and his family.
Maria died in March of 2020. Ten days later, Rudi moved into an assisted-living facility and was locked down during the pandemic.
In his last few years, Rudi was slowed by dementia but maintained his joy for life and his love of the outdoors. He kept up his daily walks, often for an hour or more, greeting those he encountered with a smile. His zest for life and his kindness to all endured until the end.
Mike von Massow is Rudi von Massow’s son.
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