Rudy Herman

Sadly, we announce the passing of Rudy Herman. He was born on April 4, 1931 in Galicija, Slovenia, and died on February 17, 2023 in Kelowna, Canada. He was predeceased by his parents Ferdinand and Angela Herman, his sister Daniela Kocjancic, and brother Ferdinand Herman, of Slovenia. May they all be together again.

He is survived by his wife Irene, daughter Christine (David), his sister Marie Gering (Kris), brother Anton Herman (Darinka), sister-in-law Ivanka Herman, and many nieces and nephews in both Canada and Slovenia.

Rudy was educated in Slovenia where he learned his trade as a technical engineer, and served in the Yugoslavian Air Force. In 1954 he immigrated to Winnipeg, Canada where he met his wife Irene and raised their daughter Christine. Rudy worked for National Cash Register Company for 20 years and later he and Irene started their own business, eventually retiring to West Kelowna in 1986.

Rudy enjoyed life to the fullest, had a great sense of humor, and had many hobbies and interests. He and Irene travelled extensively, enjoyed gardening, and hosting friends and family. Rudy was an expert handyman and inventor, working with wood, on machines, cars, and home projects.

Rudy was also musically gifted. He sang with the Kelowna and District Knights of Columbus Male Chorus and Our Lady of Lourdes Church Choir. He also was the founder of and sang with the Slovenian Choir. He loved playing the accordion, and as a youth played the trumpet. A natural leader, Rudy was a past President of the Slovenian Pavilion at Winnipeg Folklorama, and a member and past President of the Slovenian Club of the Okanagan.

Special thanks to the staff at Kelowna General Hospital for their incredible care over the years. A special mention to Dr. Andre Hugo and Dr. Larry Hancock (retired), Dr. Nien Nguyen Reeves, the doctors at the Cancer Clinic, especially Dr. Delila Topic and Jessica Robertson NP. Thanks also to the doctors at the Kelowna Cardiology Associates, and the Interior Health Wound Clinic, for their kind and dedicated service.

Family and friends will honour Rudy at a memorial mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at 11:30 a.m., 2547 Hebert Rd, West Kelowna, BC V4T 2J6 with a luncheon to follow. For those unable to attend in person, we welcome you to join us via live stream by going to the Our Lady of Lourdes youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ourladyoflourdesparish7479.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rudy’s name to: Kelowna General Hospital Foundation or the Cancer Society of BC.