A man who touched so many lives

Dr Piet Hancke, beloved husband of Erina Hancke, passed away unexpectedly in Brooks, Alberta on Wednesday, June 14, at the age of 64 years.

He was born in Pretoria, South Africa on October 5, 1952, and has two older sisters.

Piet grew up in Johannesburg, and was in the first graduating class in medicine at the University of the Free State in 1976. After Piet and Erina got married, they moved to Vryheid where they resided for 28 years and raised their five children. In September of 2008, they immigrated to Canada where they lived in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan for two years before they moved to Brooks in 2010.

Piet had an insatiable thirst for knowledge in his profession and in general. He will be remembered for his dry sense of humor, competitive nature, love for sports and travelling. He set an extraordinary example in everything he did and lived his life to the fullest. He touched so many people’s lives in such a profound way. He will be greatly missed for the wise and generous husband and father he was. He is survived by his wife, Erina, after 41 years of marriage; five children, Maryke, Wikus, Karin, Ilse and Frans; three grandchildren Gabriella, Luan and Emily; and his two sisters, Louise and Dina.

Funeral services were held on yesterday from the Brooks Christian Reformed Church. Rev Martin Boardman officiated. In memory of Dr Hancke, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Brooks and District Health Foundation, Bag 300, Brooks, Alberta

Source Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks.