George Bechtel

Farmer, animal lover, singer, husband, teacher, father, gardener, train enthusiast, transportation advocate, and cyclist, George passed from this life on May 3, 2019, aged 86 years.

He was the beloved husband of Grace (Schott), father of Trevor (Susan Hunsberger), and Gini (Tamara Shantz). He was the son of Nelson (1968) and Martha (Snyder, 1945) and stepson of Margaret (McTavish, 1985), and the brother of Janet (2013, Tom Inglis 1994), Mary Alma (2010, Charles Goodrich, 1992), Ruth, who survives (John Hess, 2007), and Dorothy (2010, Merlin Grove, 1962).

George spent the first part of his life working on his father's farm, established in 1816. His love of animals began here, particularly as he nursed his badly injured peacock Birdy back to health from a near fatal attack, and related to the dairy cattle with his characteristic gentleness. George taught at the secondary level and community college level for 29 years forming lifelong relationship with many students and colleagues. In retirement he volunteered at Doon Heritage Crossroads and researched early farm gardens building on his lifelong vocation as a gardener. George introduced many people in Waterloo County to the beauty of the dried strawflower producing many blooms for sale at the farmer’s market and for Grace’s bouquets.

George had a sought after tenor voice, singing in choirs and quartets–notably the Junior Farmers Quartet and Renaissance Singers–and leading singing and soloing throughout the Mennonite community. He was both a lover of British cars and an advocate of alternatives to the automobile. He was known publicly as an advocate of passenger rail publishing regular articles and letters to the editor and planning yearly family train trips. The family had two dogs, Avey and Bo, after which George took up weekend sitting for National Service dogs. Most recently George and Grace welcomed Mabel the cat into their home. George was rejuvenated by summer family camping trips, being outside and cooking on the hibachi. He was also an avid cyclist and recorded his mileage daily. He travelled the circumference of the earth more than two and a half times on short and long bicycle trips in Ontario. Late in life he suffered a significant bicycle accident and subsequently became interested in the results of concussions.

A longtime interest in family and local history took shape in the Society for the Preservation of the Samuel Bechtel Burial Ground, a registered non-profit he founded with others to protect the site were Mennonites first gathered 200 years ago.

George will be remembered by many relatives and friends.