Grandson of Similkameen Pioneer Passes
Kenny Richter passed away suddenly on Tuesday of November 13 at the age of 64 at the Penticton Hospital, surrounded by family members.
Kenny was the youngest son of his infamous father Hans, whose father Frances Xavier initially homesteaded in the Cawston area. After the passing of his father and mother Sarah (nee Marcel) by the time he was 13 years of age, growing up in Cawston was pretty rough at times. Several of his brothers and sisters, however, stepped up to fill the gap.
As was his father before him, Kenny was a rodeo man. For many years, in fact right up to the mid 2000s, he actively participated in his specialty of saddle bronc riding, earning his place as an excellent cowboy. The past Labor Day celebrations in Winthrop found him judging what he knew best. Active to the very end, he was always on the move. As did the first Richter boys, his uncles, and his father before him he carried the torch well and was known for his zest for life and love of the land; fishing, hunting, and riding took front seat in his daily life.
Kenny and his wife, Shirley, were together committed to their children; he was definitely a family man.
Last Saturday, Kenny’s riderless saddle horse led the sad and long procession of many mourners to the Chapaka cemetery, bringing Ken to his final resting place.
Charles Lincoln Finch
Well known Keremeos resident Charles Lincoln Finch died on November 16 at the age of 88.
Finch served in the RCAF in WWII, piloting a Lancaster bomber flying missions over Europe. After the war he was part of the DVA Fairview Heights Land Project where he farmed as a fruit rancher and sheep farmer for 36 years.
Finch also served as Chairman of the Cawston Centennial Committee, President of the Okanagan Historical Society, Keremeos Branch, and commanded the 582 Panda Squadron of the Keremeos Air Cadets.
Finch was a life member of the Royal Canadian Legion, serving two terms as president.
Finch also served on the Keremeos School District board and the B.C. Fruit Growers Association. He was a director of the B.C. Federation of Agriculture, President of the B.C. Sheep Breeders Co-operative Association, Chair of the B.C. Sheep and Wool Commission, and a Director with the Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers.
In his retirement years, Finch enjoyed fishing and camping with friends and family, staying involved in community endeavours with the Keremeos Ecumenical Church.