KRUSCHE, Harald Wiktor

March 21, 1909 - Lodz, Poland - January 27, 2014 - Black Diamond

     Major of the Polish Cavalry,

     Chemical Engineer Pioneer

With deep sorrow we announce the passing of the dear husband of Madelaine Suska, 

and our father, grandfather and uncle:

Anna Krusche, Nessa and Olenka Forde;

Jack and Agnieszka Krusche, Natalka, Konrad and Filip;

Andrew, Richard, and Julie Oko.

During WWII while Poland was regrouping in her fight against the Germans, Russia invaded from the East. Harald was taken POW to the German Oflag IIC Woldenberg.  He escaped  during the Soviet "liberation" of the camp, heading west  to join General Maczek.  With the help of the Danish underground, he rowed across the Baltic to Sweden from where he finally rejoined the Polish Forces in Scotland. At war's end he finished his MSc. in Chemical Engineering at Imperial College. Because of the forced Russian communist regime in Poland he decided to immigrate to Canada, sponsored by the Dorosz family of engineers out of  Regina. As a chemical engineering pioneer he brought into production the first propane plant in Canada,(Turner Valley.)  He was one of the original engineers who built the Celanese petrochemical plant in Edmonton where he worked for many years.  He then introduced the practice of environmental engineering through his work with the City of Edmonton, the Chemical Institute of Canada, and the Environmental  Conservation Authority - which was the first and probably last citizens' advisory board to propose effective environmental legislation in Alberta. He was an early member of the Alberta Wilderness Association, the Committee for an Independent Canada, Alberta Hostelling, The Polish Academic Club in Edmonton,  and the Turner Valley Ski Club. After his retirement he built Bachmat, a 42' ocean-going sloop, and a little house in Hilo, Hawaii, where he wrote his memoirs. He loved motors: racing motorcycles before the War, and repairing and tinkering all manner of vehicles, until his last days. In his spare time, he dabbled in astrophysics - in awe of the universe and its infinite beauty.
In lieu of flowers - perhaps read an article on astrophysics or moose behaviour.

Memorial to be held on his 105th Birthday, March 21, 5pm at the Glencoe Club, Calgary.

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