Lack, Ervin (Erv) Roy Walter

On the morning of Monday 15th August 2022, Ervin Roy Walter Lack passed away peacefully at the age of 87 years at CapitalCare Grandview - Long Term Care.

Erv was born on 26 March 1935 in the original Royal Alexandra Hospital. He grew up in North Edmonton. He spoke fondly of the time he spent with his friends in Henschel's bush watching birds and having fun. He enjoyed his time at North Edmonton School. He met his future wife Arlene Otto at a Valentine's Day dance in Eastwood high school. Erv was a Chemical Engineer later earning an MBA. Erv played basketball throughout high school and University with the University of Alberta Golden Bears when he was in Engineering. He could make an amazing overhead shot from the center line right into the basket. Following high school, he took some time off and travelled with his friend Dan Panasiuk down to Florida to visit his Uncle Gus and Aunt Josie. From there they flew down to Montevideo, Uruguay to spend time with his Uncle Otto and family. They travelled to Brazil (Rio and Belem) before returning to Canada. Erv and Arlene were married at the original Our Savior Lutheran Church (11516 - 103 street, Edmonton) on 21^st June 1958. The reception was at the old Airport Inn. Son Dean was born in February 1959 and daughter Cindy followed in December 1963.

Erv worked for CIL and Chemplex (Iowa, USA) in plastics research, Imperial Oil at the Redwater Fertilizer Plant, Alberta Commercial Corporation (ACC) and Alberta Opportunity Company (AOC) and finally with the Alberta Government. He was a Managing Director of Economic Development (International Trade), and also Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) during his career with the government. He travelled extensively in the Middle East, Japan and throughout the world to over 78 countries and was on over 1900 flights. Erv retired in 1996 and formed COTC for business activities.

He sat on the board of the Gang Ranch in BC and also consulted to them. He enjoyed spending time with family, hunting, fishing, and spending time at the Coalbranch with his friends whom he met at CIL. Erv made many lifelong friends during his career with the Alberta Government.

He cherished the “Lack Boy’s Weekends” camping trips in the Coal Branch and at Ernie and Elsie Klut’s place near Rosevear on the McLeod River. Erv hunted not only in Alberta, but all over the world including Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland and others. He loved to fish and spent many hours stream fishing in the Coal Branch area with his friends and the "Lack Boys" (his brother, nephew, son and grandsons). He also had many lake fishing trips to Gaspard Lake in BC (with Chilco Choate), Salmon fishing at Langara Fishing Lodge, Margaret Lake with his son, and many other places. He had many amazing stories from his years of travel when he worked for the Economic Development and Trade in International Trade. Erv was served tea by Mobutu who was the president of Zaire at the time He had many trips his friend Sheikh Mazen Pharaon including the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, Heli-Skiing in the bugaboos, and many other amazing adventures. He also took one of the last flights on the Concord Jet when it was still in service. He met Mohammad Ali when he was in Edmonton to fight Dave Semenko in1983. Erv had an amazing career.

He loved his family above all else and enjoyed the many, many family events over the years, His grandsons (Mark and Steven) and granddaughter (Julie) as well as his great grandsons (Deegan and Ryder) were his pride and joy. He often said, "if I knew grandchildren were this much fun, we would have had them first".

He is survived by his loving family: wife Arlene Marie Lack (nee Otto) of 64 years, son Dean (Audrey) Lack of Edmonton, and Daughter Cyndie Lack of Sooke, BC, three (3) grandchildren, Mark (Joy) Lack, Steven Lack (Amy Spreen), Julie Lack (Brent Chambers), and two great grandsons; Deegan Lack (8 years) and his brother Ryder Lack (2 Years), brother Jerry (Linda) Lack & sister Darlene (Hubert) VanGinhoven and many nieces and nephews.

Erv was predeceased by his parents, Reinhold (Roy) Leck (9 January 1910 - 1 May 1972) and Karolina (Lena) Symanczyk-Leck (5 February 1908 - 9 September 1992), and one sister Gertrude Elsie Leck (22 January 1933 - 9 April 1934).

Funeral Services will be on Monday 22nd August 2022 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 2710—79 Street, Edmonton, Alberta at 11:00 a.m., Lunch to follow. Following lunch, internment will be at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Pastor Tim Posyluzny Officiating.