Edward George Richard Messner was born on the farm in Lebret, the third child of Anna and Edward Messner. The family moved to the High Tor area in 1931 when dad was 8 years old. A school was built in the community in 1931-32 and dad started school in May 1932. They walked two and a half miles to school – a real nature trail according to Dad (apparently up hill both ways barefoot in the snow). He attained a grade 10 education. Dad continued to be avid reader and lifelong learner.

He joined the armed forces on December 16, 1942 and was honourably discharged on September 28, 1945. It was always his dream to be a pilot but, when he enlisted in the airforce, he (as an obedient son) followed his mother’s request to keep his feet on the ground and became an aircraft mechanic. He served in Canada and England.

He met the love of his life, Ellen Loney, while threshing on the Loney farm in 1947. They were married in the St. Stanislaus Catholic Church on September 8th in 1948. Their reception was held at the Lloyd Logan farm. They celebrated their 72nd anniversary on September 8th, 2020. Along the way, according to Dad, they had five accidents of love – Bev (1950), Myrna (1952), Brad (1955), Ashley (1958) and Celeste (1961). From these happy accidents he and Ellen were blessed with 12 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

In 1950, he purchased his first new truck, which served him well as he used it for hauling grain, coal, lumber, cattle and even moved Mr. Henry Myers to BC. You can still find it on the family farm if you know where to look!

Dad took over the family farm in 1950. During his farming career, he grew grain and hay as well raising cattle, sheep, and pigs (not his favorite). He really enjoyed baling and he rolled out his last bale of hay at the age of 95.

He spent several winters logging with various people, including Nick Kwiatkowski, Clifford Logan, Ernie Messner and Wayne Chase. He and Nick logged 60,000 board feet one winter. The two of them also used their tractors to clear the snowy roads.

Dad was a community minded person and served as a Legion member, holding the positions of president, secretary and treasurer, as well as organizing the annual poppy drive. He was also a member of two school boards and served on the hospital board. He drove school bus during the 70’s and 80’s, a job he truly enjoyed because he really loved the kids and, according to some of the condolence messages the kids loved him.

Dad’s hobbies were welding, hunting, fishing, golfing and curling (bonspieling). He had several hunting and fishing partners over the years: Cliff, Nick, Ernie and then the famous family “hunting” camps with Brad, Ashley, Bob and Blaine.

Dad was an active person until his his health declined this past year. He resided in the personal care home from January 23 until his death on April 3rd, 2021. And now we say goodbye to him in the church he helped to build.

Thank you to the staff of the Red Deer Nursing Home for the excellent care he received.

Donations in memory of Richard can be addressed to the High Tor Cemetery or the Porcupine Plain Museum.