BERT SETTLER

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BERT SETTLER May 30, 1916 - May 27, 2002 Bert Settler was born in Winnipeg, May 30, 1916, at home at 624 Pritchard Ave. He attended the Talmud Torah, I.L. Peretz School, the Aberdeen and St. Johns Tech High School, and he was an active soccer and football player for the Y.M.H.A. He married Faye Brownstone in 1938 and this fall they would have celebrated their 64th anniversary. After his studies Bert joined his father in the automotive paint and body works business and was an agent for Chrysler, Dodge and Desoto automobiles. He developed a large auto radio business as part of the company, and subsequently with his father and brother, Morris, branched out into light manufacturing. Bert was responsible for designing and developing the first electric lawn mower, electric grass trimmer and electric domestic humidifier, which were marketed through the T. Eaton Company. With the advent of solid state electronics in the 60s, the company moved into the medical device industry, and from very humble beginnings and with federal National Research Council support, developed a range of medical and dental instruments and sensor electrodes. Bert was in charge of production with a staff of 150 employees. In 1986 Medtronics bought the company. Bert was inventive in all things and creative artistically. He was a founding member of The Glendale Country Club, the Rosh Pina Synagogue, and the Maple Leaf Curling Club. He was a first-class curler and golfer and especially enjoyed the links at Glendale and in Palm Springs, where he had a home for many years. Bert was also a pioneer lakefront cottager at Gimli and to this day his family claims Gimli as a second home. Bert had so many fine qualities. He possessed an enviable sense of humour and was a great story-teller. Bert was also very charitable and philanthropic; he never refused to support any worthwhile agency and is known to have silently helped many individuals in their time of need. He handsomely contributed to all of the Jewish organizations in Winnipeg. Bert and Faye liberally supported and participated in the artistic and cultural life in Winnipeg. A dedicated football fan, Bert held Blue Bomber seasons tickets predating the building of the current stadium, and it is believed he never missed a Blue Bomber game. Bert loved his house, and between them he and Faye made a home that was notable for welcoming guests. He loved to garden and the annual harvest on his small plot was remarkable. His great-grandson, Joe, was his constant gardening partner. Bert and his brother Morris developed a unique state-of-the-art PH sensor device which has attracted the interest of multi-national medical companies worldwide. It can be proudly stated that he made a major contribution to the betterment of mankind through the work he did over the years at Harco Electronics and Queenston Medical Electronics. The latest breakthrough on the micro-size PH sensor has domestic and industrial applications, and most significantly in the fields of cardiovascular, neurology and oncology. Berts devotion to and love for his family was limitless. His wife, his daughter, his grand-children, his great-grandson, his relatives and friends were all nurtured by his warmth and care. Bert Settler is survived by his wife Faye, his daughter Meeka Walsh (Robert Enright), his granddaughter Sherri Walsh (Louis Ludwig), his grandson Zachary Walsh (Tiffany Walsh), and his great-grandson Joe Ludwig. The family would like to thank Dr. Bruce Light, Dr. Diane Haak and the nursing staff at the Medical Intensive Care Unit of the St. Boniface General Hospital for their fine and humane care. Funeral services were held at the Rosh Pina Synagogue on May 30. Pallbearers were Len Settler, Joseph Diner, Dr. Jack Rusen, Larry Vickar, Michael Brownstone, Dr. Gary Hyman. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Samir Bhattacharya, M.L. Buddy Brownstone, Ted Jacob, Joe Freed, Louis Leibl, Dr. Charles Rusen. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Faye and Bert Settler Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, C 400 - 123 Doncaster St., Winnipeg, MB R3N 2B3, or The Bert Settler Memorial Fund at the Winnipeg Boys and Girls Club, 929 Main St., Winnipeg, MB, R2W 3P2.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 31, 2002