|
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
RIEBE, Klaus Nick Joachim Dieter was born on January 18, 1935, in Berlin, Germany.
In 1953, Nick came to Canada by ship and started working on tobacco farms in Ontario. The sea voyage left an indelible impression on the 18-year-old adventurer, as Nick would go on to join the navy. He proudly became a Canadian citizen in 1956 and then a member of the Royal Canadian Navy where he served as a radar technician on several ships, based out of his home port of Halifax. He retired after 35 years of service to his chosen country as a commissioned officer, Lieutenant (N) Klaus Riebe.
Known as Papa or Pa by his daughters, Nick loved travelling and languages — he spoke French as well as fluent German and English. The navy took him as far North as Frobisher Bay and family brought him to Asia, where he experienced new cultures with enthusiasm. He went back to Germany several times over the years and to the U.S. and other countries in Europe, touring around with friends and family.
Nick was known for his convivial, European-style love of good food and wine, and was sometimes caught on a Friday night, humming, singing and playing popular tunes, by ear, on the family’s piano. He was a skilled dancer and he and his favourite partner, Colleen, could be spotted doing the jitterbug for hours at the mess hall at Stadacona, Halifax. He loved nature, the ocean and animals. Over several decades living in Fall River, N.S., he planted and nurtured many trees on his properties, which he would see grow taller than him.
Nick is survived by his wife of 58 years, Colleen, his children Dawn (Buddy Lewis) of Wellington, N.S., Margo (Barry Butt) of Nictaux N.S., Erin Riebe (Duane Praught), living in Yellowknife, N.W.T., Natasha Riebe, living in Edmonton, A.B., grandson Mitchell Richardson of Middle Sackville, N.S., son Pierre Riebe and daughter Donna-Lynn Riebe in Q.C. and sister Marianne Krall in San Francisco. He is pre-deceased by his brother, Eberhard Riebe.
Nick passed away at the age of 90 on August 29, 2025 after a brief stay at the Truro hospital. Known for his quirky humour, Nick had the nurses in stitches by ‘joshing around,’ as he liked to say.
At Nick’s request, there will be no funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Nick’s memory can be made to the Palliative Care Unit at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre Foundation, during the donation process, you can select "Palliative Care." (TJ Tracey Funeral Cremation and Burial Specialists)
|
