Obituary of Dieter Gruenwoldt

Dieter Gruenwoldt passed away peacefully at The Grove Nursing Home on Sunday September 24th 2023, at the age of 82. 

Dieter was born in Berlin, Germany on November 24th, 1940. He spent much of his youth in Long Island, NY until moving to Canada in 1966. His love for forestry and the natural environment took him first to Ranger School in New York State, and then to the College of Forestry of Syracuse University where he graduated in Landscape Architecture.

Dad’s varied career began with the U.S. Forest Service in Montana. He also served with the US Peace Corps in Chile (1964-66) where he passionately worked to advance community development. Upon arrival in Canada, he embraced Landscape Architecture, opening his own firm (Gruenwoldt Copeland and Associates) with his dear friend and business partner, Jack Copeland. 

Over time, Dad’s commitment to the environment and its stewardship led him to a role with the federal government in Indian and Northern Affairs. He was an early advocate for protection of First Nations’ lands and developed close relationships with Indigenous peoples. He particularly enjoyed working on Nunavut school projects, and consultative work to develop policy in the North.  

Dad most of all loved spending time with his family, his wife Pam (Forbes) of 46 years, and his children Emily (Chris) and Leif (Tanya). He adored watching the activity of his four grandchildren, Finley, Gwen, Bran and Juniper.

In his earlier years, he loved blazing trails in the “back forty” of our family’s property in Kinburn, building tree forts with Emily and Leif, tending to vegetable and flower gardens, fishing and hiking. 

Dad always seemed to find the energy to tackle large projects at home, meticulously planning and drawing out the details at the kitchen table. With determination, sweat and hard work, he would implement his visions, most frequently by hand, somehow moving mountains of material by shovel and wheelbarrow. It was in this manner Dad would shape the Kinburn property, on evenings and weekends, with Mom and both kids at his side or close by.

Dad cherished the connections with many of his schoolmates over the years.

Our family would like to thank the staff of The Arnprior Grove Home for their special care of Dad.

Donations in memory of Dieter can be made to the Nature Conservancy of Canada NCC: Nature Conservancy of Canada or the World Wildlife Fund WWF - Endangered Species Conservation | World Wildlife Fund. A celebration of life will be held on Monday October 2, 2023 at 2p at The Bridge church, 285 Roger Neilson Way, Kanata, ON. A reception will follow. All are welcome.