Obituary for Bernhard "Ben" Karschau
KARSCHAU, Bernhard (Ben)
Bernhard (Ben) Karschau passed away suddenly on May 11, 2023, in his 92nd year, doing what he loved
most, working on his farm. Ben was the loving father of Antje (Mike) and Bernie (Joannie), and fondly
remembered by his granddaughters Erin McNeely and Anne Lawrence. He was predeceased by his wife
Hildegard, his sister Annie Dabrowski and his parents Erich and Maria of Germany and is survived by his
sister Ruth Hofmeyer and brother Hans (Irene) Karschau of Germany.
Ben emigrated from Germany to Canada in 1953 where he arrived in Montreal by ship and then
travelled to Alberta by train. It was there that he took up residence and helped build the Trans-Canada
highway. On July 7, 1955, in Coaldale Alberta, he married his true love Hildegard Klein, who had also
emigrated from Germany a few years later than him.
Ben had a dream to own a farm. Along the way he met mentors who planted the seed of becoming a
veterinarian. He eventually attended the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, where
he graduated from the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program in 1967.
He served the Kingston area as a large and small-animal veterinarian, having begun his career at
Kingston Veterinary Clinic with Dr. Osborne, and then co-founder of St. Lawrence Veterinary Services
and finally retiring as owner of McEwen Animal Hospital at age 75.
During his tenure as a veterinarian, he purchased his dream farm just north of Kingston in 1979, where
he raised cattle, chickens, and ducks; adopted many stray cats and kittens who had called the barns
their home; and adopted several dogs from the Kingston Humane Society-all who cohabitated on the
family farm.
Ben loved and lived life to the fullest. His passions were his veterinary profession, calling as a farmer,
devotion to his family and love of gardening. It would not be unusual for him to showcase his vegetable
garden, flowers and long-standing grape vines that continue to bear fruit to this very day.
He was proud to call Canada his home and grateful for the opportunities provided to him and his family.
It is only fitting that he was able to live his life until the day he passed away, at home working on his
farm. May you rest in peace.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date with details to follow.
Bernhard (Ben) Karschau passed away suddenly on May 11, 2023, in his 92nd year, doing what he loved
most, working on his farm. Ben was the loving father of Antje (Mike) and Bernie (Joannie), and fondly
remembered by his granddaughters Erin McNeely and Anne Lawrence. He was predeceased by his wife
Hildegard, his sister Annie Dabrowski and his parents Erich and Maria of Germany and is survived by his
sister Ruth Hofmeyer and brother Hans (Irene) Karschau of Germany.
Ben emigrated from Germany to Canada in 1953 where he arrived in Montreal by ship and then
travelled to Alberta by train. It was there that he took up residence and helped build the Trans-Canada
highway. On July 7, 1955, in Coaldale Alberta, he married his true love Hildegard Klein, who had also
emigrated from Germany a few years later than him.
Ben had a dream to own a farm. Along the way he met mentors who planted the seed of becoming a
veterinarian. He eventually attended the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, where
he graduated from the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program in 1967.
He served the Kingston area as a large and small-animal veterinarian, having begun his career at
Kingston Veterinary Clinic with Dr. Osborne, and then co-founder of St. Lawrence Veterinary Services
and finally retiring as owner of McEwen Animal Hospital at age 75.
During his tenure as a veterinarian, he purchased his dream farm just north of Kingston in 1979, where
he raised cattle, chickens, and ducks; adopted many stray cats and kittens who had called the barns
their home; and adopted several dogs from the Kingston Humane Society-all who cohabitated on the
family farm.
Ben loved and lived life to the fullest. His passions were his veterinary profession, calling as a farmer,
devotion to his family and love of gardening. It would not be unusual for him to showcase his vegetable
garden, flowers and long-standing grape vines that continue to bear fruit to this very day.
He was proud to call Canada his home and grateful for the opportunities provided to him and his family.
It is only fitting that he was able to live his life until the day he passed away, at home working on his
farm. May you rest in peace.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date with details to follow.