Henry Regehr Memorial:

Henry's Obituary

Henry passed away unexpectedly at his home in Waterloo on Monday, August 22, 2011 at the age of 71.

Beloved husband of Esther. Dear father of Jeff (Andi) and Doug (Melissa). Lovingly remembered by his grandchildren, Hannah, Delaney, Gideon, Eric, Naomi, Tessa and Kyrie. Dear brother of Anne, Peter (Dorothy) and Tina Giesbrecht and brother-in-law of Evelyn (Ken) Bodell, Ernie (Darlene) Martens, Beth (Don) Reid, James (Diane) Martens, Lyle (Cindy) Martens, and Edward Martens.

Henry was born in the tiny Mennonite village of Schoenbrunn in the Chaco region of Paraguay. He immigrated to Canada at the age of 14 with his family, who settled in Vancouver. Henry obtained a BA from Waterloo Lutheran University (now Wilfrid Laurier University), a BD from Mennonite Brethren Bible College (now Canadian Mennonite University), an MA from University of Alberta and a PhD in Sociology from University of Waterloo. Henry taught sociology at Wilfrid Laurier and University of Waterloo for over thirty years. In parallel with this vocation, Henry preached regularly in English or German at a number of local churches, served as interim pastor at several churches across southwestern Ontario, and as associate pastor for four years at Hillcrest Mennonite Church in New Hamburg. Henry was also a familiar face on the ball diamond, serving as Umpire-in-Chief for Waterloo Minor Boys Fastball Association for over 10 years. Henry continued to preach, teach and umpire right up until his unexpected death.

Memories and condolences from Andrew Clark, current KWUA president:

I would like to offer my condolences to the Regehr family. Henry was a great friend and mentor to many of us in the umpire community, myself included. He along with Lindsay Barfoot helped me get started in the KWUA and without him I would not be the umpire I am today. I also marvelled at his desire to improve his understanding of both fastball and umpiring, which I witnessed at the Level 4 clinic I attended with him in the spring. He had no interest in becoming a Level 4 umpire, but he always wanted to continue learning. This is an example many of our umpires should follow as most see these clinics as a burden, something that needs to be done before advancing in the program. Finally, Henry was a dear friend and always willing to help those in need. Merely 2 weeks before his passing, I was informed of some serious health problems and was not in the mental state to be at the diamond for a weekend. I asked Henry if he could take over the UIC responsibilities and he did so without hesitation. It allowed me to spend time with my family during one of the more difficult weeks of my life. I will forever remember Henry for that. Henry will be dearly missed by all of us in the KW Umpires Association and the Softball Ontario program. He was a friend, a mentor, a respected man that will never be replaced.

A Memorial Donation of $100 was made to the trust fund for the Grandson of Doug Cundall in Henry's name. Doug is a Softball Canada deputy umpire-in-chief. Doug's son passed away earlier this year leaving a wife and child and the trust fund has been set up to help with the education expenses of Doug's grandson. The donation and a KWUA shirt were presented to Doug by Lindsay Barfoot, a current KWUA member, at the Senior Men's Canadians in Owen Sound, along with the following message:

In appreciation for all you has done for the Softball Ontario Umpire Program and umpire members of KWUA and in memory of Henry Regehr, the Blue Crew members of KWUA want to express our thanks and sympathy to you in the loss of your son.

Memories and condolences from Mike Schurter and Family, a current KWUA member:

Henry always made me feel good when I was around him whether it was on the phone, at a meeting, travelling to a tournament or working together on the diamond. He put me in that comfort mode.

In the last number of years we travelled to several tournaments together, had many good conversations and as some of you may know Henry never missed the opportunity to come up with some of his dry, one liners.

Henry was a very caring family man. He always talked about his wife and family in a positive loving way.

On the diamond, he was very considerate of the players, coaches and fans. He knew the game well. If you ever get the chance, just read the book he wrote called "The Third Team".

I am sure there is a special tournament taking place in Heaven and God needed one more special umpire.

Maybe that's why Henry was called home so sudden and early.

I don't believe there are words to say how much we will miss him.

Condolences from Carl Herder, a current KWUA umpire:

Deepest sympathy in the passing of Henry. He was special and will be remembered as someone who showed genuine love to all who worked with him on the ball diamonds. You will be greatly missed by all of us who had the opportunity of working with you through ball. I felt so privileged working along side with you as part of the blue team. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Condolences from Chuck Bokor, a KWUA alumnus and former Zone 3 Umpire-in-Chief:

My deepest respect goes to my friend Henry Regehr. Henry was an umpire with the KWUA when Jeff, Matthew and I moved to the area and joined the Blue Crew here. He was also on the executive of the association, a tournament organizer, a clinic instructor, and a fellow Blue evaluator.

But more importantly, Henry was a gentleman, and an honest, hard-working colleague who I learned to respect and admire for his devotion to the game, and his quiet but persistent manner, on and off the field.

Henry was there whenever I called on him to fill a crew when I was organizing tournaments throughout Zone 3 or in the KW area. He was there to help in any way he could, and never complained. He was there as the KW scheduler, which is no small job and which does not get much thanks. And he was there as a friend with a warm, gentle, thoughtful bit of wisdom whenever I needed a listening ear.

My deepest condolences to your family, and...
...thanks Henry, rest in peace - but God willing, have fun calling your game wherever you are.

Condolences from Brian Van Os, Softball Canada's National Director of Umpires:

I am very sorry to hear about Henry's passing. It is always sad when one of your dear friends in the umpiring circles passes away. I have had too many in the past 5 years which simply tells me I am getting older. Sounds like your group is going to honour him in a special way. He joins a lot of great umpires upstairs and can now call that perfect game.

Condolences from Robert Straetmans, Zone 3 Umpire-in-Chief

On behalf of all our zone 3 fellow Blue I wish to offer our deepest condolences to Henry's family and friends at this sad time.

I have worked many tournaments with Henry over the years and it was always a pleasure as he had an honest love of the game.

Henry was never one to complain about anything, and his positive attitude and genuine appreciation at being on the diamond made him a joy to work with.

We have lost a good Umpire...and a good man.

Condolences from Peter Kluszczynski, Softball Ontario Fast Pitch Provincial Umpire-in-Chief Softball Ontario:

It is a shock to learn about Henry's passing. I have known Henry from years past and know of him as a very kind and thoughtful man who would do anything to help someone in need.

He was very dedicated to the Softball community and his different roles with the umpires was, Instructor/Evaluator, UIC, DUIC, Scheduler and a mentor. I know about the book that Henry wrote on umpiring and did buy one from him.

He will be sadly missed by his Softball friends and I would like to pass on my condolences to the Regehr family and to let them know that my thoughts and prayers will be with them to get through this very sad time.

Please pass on my thoughts to the Regehr family.

Condolence from Matt Young, a former player with Waterloo Minor Boys Softball Association:

I am very sad to hear about Henry. Throughout my youth I was a pitcher for Waterloo fastball teams, which meant I spent many summer nights with Henry at Hillside park. Though most of my interaction with Henry was through ball, over the years we spoke many times and I always enjoyed our conversations. One of them even led to me taking guitar lessons from Doug! I am currently out of the county and so unfortunately cannot attend the funeral. I will be thinking about Henry today.

Condolence from the North Waterloo Rural Minor Softball League:

He will be missed for his many contributions as an umpire, administrator and fan. His dedication to our sport made him a familiar site at the ball diamonds throughout Waterloo Region.

Condolence from the Kitchener Waterloo Minor Boys Softball Association:

It is a sad day on the diamond to see one of our biggest fastball supporters, an excellent gentleman and a highly respected official in our game suddenly taken from our midst. On behalf of our association we would like to extend our sympathies. It will be hard for us to imagine him not at the diamonds next summer.

Condolence from Riley Barfoot and family, a current KWUA umpire:

I never met Henry, but my son Riley umpired with him quite frequently. He was always grateful to be working with Henry and I could tell he respected his guidance on the ball diamond, as a junior umpire. He is shocked to hear the news of his passing. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Condolence from Fred Malatches, a current KWUA umpire:

To the dear family of Henry. I just met Henry this year from umpiring. Two weeks ago he was umpire in chief of the girls bantam tournament in New Dundee. It was a pleasure to work with him and more so more enjoyable to talk to him in between games. My deepest condolences to the family. May God bless him.

Condolence from Mike Nalysnyk a fellow umpire from Guelph:

I had the honour of umpiring with Henry on many occasions including this past weekend. Henry is a very respected umpire and gentleman. All of the Blue Crew will miss Henry's humour and dedication to the game of softball. My deepest condolences to Henry's family and friends.

Condolence from Deb Duiker and the Kitchener-Waterloo Ladies Fastball League:

I would like to wish condolences to the Regehr family on the passing of Henry Regehr from the KWLFL. He will be missed by our players and coaches. Henry was a fantastic umpire, and was well respected. Our hearts go out to his family.