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ALBERT HORCH
Born: Jul 31, 1917
Date of Passing: Mar 18, 2011
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryALBERT HORCH Albert Jacob Horch passed away peacefully March 18, 2011 at Donwood Manor Personal Care Home at 93 years of age. Albert was born in Winnipeg, July 31, 1917 to Eduard and Katherine (nee Eszlinger) Horch. He spent his early years in Winnipeg's North End with his parents and siblings. As a teenager he developed an interest in music. In 1932 his brother Ben bought him his first flute, a wooden one, which he learned to play without any formal training. In his youth he participated in school and community orchestras. In 1942 he enlisted in the R.C.A.F. band, and in September of that year he married his fiancé Zelma Pauls. They began their life together in Toronto where Albert was stationed until the end of the war. Albert then served in the R.C.A.F. in Edmonton until 1948. After being discharged he was asked to join the newly formed Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. He stayed with the orchestra for 30 years then retired in 1978 to pursue full-time teaching. He also conducted many school bands. He taught flute for many years at the International Peace Gardens summer music camp and enjoyed that very much. In his teaching career he had over 1300 individual students, several of whom have gone on to become prominent musicians. Many of his former students continued to keep in touch with him over the years. During his long musical career Albert also played on many CBC radio and television broadcasts. He was also in many of the orchestras for Rainbow Stage, The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and participated on several commercially issued recordings. Along with his musical endeavors, he also had a successful ten year career selling real estate for Oldfield, Kirby, and Gardener. Albert was predeceased by his parents, his wife Zelma (nee Pauls), his brothers Edward (Helen), Benjamin (Esther), Emmanuel (Agatha), Reuben, and his sister Emilie Spiekert (Alex). Also by brother-in-law Frank Pauls (Corrie) and sisters-in-law Jessie and Helen Pauls. He is survived by his children Judith Siemens (Albert), Paul Horch, and Kathryn Wadsworth (John). He will also be missed by his seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law Frieda Pauls, Bertha Horch, and numerous nieces and nephews. Private interment will take place prior to the service. A memorial service celebrating Albert's life will be held at Albright Church, 3400 DeVries Avenue, East St. Paul, Manitoba, Friday, March 25, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Robert Pauls officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Donwood Manor Foundation, 171 Donwood Drive, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2G 0V9. Many thanks to Rosewood Village, and a special thank you to the staff at 2nd floor North, Donwood Manor for their loving care.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 22, 2011
Condolences & Memories (3 entries)
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Mr Horch was my neighbour while I grew up in East Kildonan over a period of many years. He loved meticulously attending to his property and keeping his Chrysler tip top & shiny. We would often speak over our respective property lines about various topics and Mr Horch would often offer his friendly advice when he felt it was needed. He was very expressive in his style of communication and usually did so with a broad smile on his mustached face. He had a great sense of humour. One thing in particular that he advised me on, which today has a very special meaning for me, was the importance of breathing. He would often demonstrate to me how to slowly breathe in the air and hold it until you felt the need to exhale, slowly. I’m sure this method of breathing came into play when he was playing his flute. I often think of him as I breath in and out, slowly. R.I.P. - Posted by: Kurtheo Enns (Neighbour & Friend ) on: Dec 02, 2022
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You left us four years ago today Dad. Thanks for all the wonderful memories, and for supporting me in all my endeavors throughout the years. I was blessed to have you for a Father, and blessed that I could help to take care of you in your final years. Rest in peace. - Posted by: Paul Horch (Son) on: Mar 18, 2015
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Mr. Horch took an ignorant college student and taught him how to approach this beautiful instrument. That student was I. His kindness, patience, his humour, his soul fed me. After realizing at some point that I would never be a concert musician, my love of study with this instrument did not die; although it has waxed and waned, and I attribute any modicum of ability I have due largely to his teaching and his personality. It was the habit for two other people and I to come to his home studio at the same time and I quickly learned that I wanted to be the last of the three of us to have our lesson, since the longer I could sit and listen to how he was teaching my two fellow students, the better it would be for me. It was by his invitation and our mutual agreement that we could occupy his studio at the same time, sometimes being able to play duets or trios together. One of the less than serious endeavours was that one of us had to play "Ach du lieber Augustine.." and the other would toot a pair of over-tone notes on the "two and three" of the 3/4 time pattern making the whole affair sound much like a circus organ. Never seemed to manage more than two phrases before smiles and giggles made a proper embouchure impossible. His opinion of my first instrument which I brought to rehearsal was also delivered in the best possible way. When I asked him whether this flute was any good, he took it in his hand examined it, then placed one end on the floor and held it vertical with the tips of his fingers, tilted his head this way and that and declared, "...it does make a nice tomato stick...". Yes, well, I now still play the new instrument he procured on my behalf. The legacy of Albert Horch lives on in each of the students whose lives he touched. - Posted by: Earl D. Reimer (Flute student 1975-1979) on: Jun 18, 2012