Rolf Gustav Ludwig

Rolf Gustav Ludwig

December 13, 1948 – September 9, 2023

Rolf Ludwig was born December 13, 1948 in St. Johanne, Tyrol, Austria. In 1952 he immigrated with his parents to the United States, settling in Ohio and welcoming his baby sister, Renata, ten years later. As a war resister, Rolf was uprooted to Canada in 1970 where he gratefully received a warm reception. He often expressed how fortunate he was to be living in a country like Canada.

Rolf was a loving and devoted husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend/neighbour. He consciously worked toward a better world and always focused on lending a hand to those around him. He will be remembered as one of those rare individuals who, as an old friend recently said, “had knowledge for every occasion”. He sought out and retained the latest developments in politics, science, technical advances, film, music and much more. He could passionately expound upon almost any topic, often with wit and wry humour, after assimilating and distilling the most pertinent facts to share with others.

Rolf met Suzanne at a comic show in a Toronto art gallery in 1983. That was the beginning of their 40-year “vacation”, full of love and laughter, during which they married, had their daughter Maia, and moved to Vancouver Island where Rolf immersed himself in family life on the West Coast. 

After retiring, Rolf thoroughly enjoyed 10 years of playing piano and composing music, cooking and working in the garden with Suzanne, exchanging joy with his wonderful grandson, sharing happy times and dinners with family and friends, taking their dog on walks in ocean parks, and reading numerous journals, books and magazines.

It is with extreme sadness that Rolf’s family shares the news of his sudden passing on September 9, 2023. They are deeply appreciative to all of the hospital staff and emergency responders who treated Rolf (and his family) with the utmost of kindness and compassion combined with professional care. He died peacefully, surrounded by his immediate family. Rolf was pre-deceased by his parents, Rolf Sr. and Wally; and is survived by his wife, Suzanne, daughter Maia, son-in-law Matthew and grandson Oliver; his sister, Renate, nieces Valeria and Vanessa, and nephew Martin; as well as his cousins and their families living in Germany and, of course, the family dog, Bongo.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Rolf in 2024. The family greatly appreciates the heart-warming outpouring of love and support they have received. In lieu of sending flowers, please consider making a donation to the SPCA.

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