We Remember

BACH, Daniel

March 1, 1932 — March 18, 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Daniel Bach at the age of 91 at Central Okanagan Hospice House in Kelowna.

Dan was predeceased by his wife Rita in 2013; his son Ken in 2022; and his brother Jim. Dan is survived by his second wife Jean; brother Don (Bonnie); sons Doug, Chris (Borana), and Tom; daughter-in-law Debbie; grandchildren Nicole (Cory), Lindsay (Greg), Clayton (Kitta), and Justin; and great-granddaughter Mateya.

Dan was born in Rutland, BC, long before it was part of Kelowna. He was industrious even as a child, helping his Dad with farming and janitorial work at the local schools. He was in the first graduating class of the new Rutland High school, now Rutland Middle School. His career started with trucking, then plumbing and gas-fitting, and then 35 years with School District 23 doing plumbing, supervision, heating, and air conditioning.

Dan was always a farmer at heart, starting with 20 acres on Hartman Road, which is now the Rutland Sports fields, then acquiring his 160 acre dream farm in Lumby.  The Lumby farm was like a relic from the 1890s, with ditch irrigation, crumbling log barns, sheds, farmhouses, and even a complete blacksmith shop. Dan and family set about modernizing the farm with new irrigation, barns and machine shops, and finally, a new log cabin. As modern as the farm became, Dan’s taste in tractors was the opposite. At one point, he had 14 antique tractors, all restored and in running condition.

With a lifelong love of motorcycles, Dan enjoyed the wind in his face, and he rode and raced motorcycles in his teenage years. The motorcycle hobby was put on hold when marriage and the kids came along, but he always managed to have one or two around for “farm purposes”. He kept a 1919 Harley hidden under the stairs in the house for decades. After he retired, he bought a new street bike, and then a succession of increasingly smaller bikes to ride to the farm and back. He kept riding until he was over 85.

Dan and Rita travelled all over BC, and across Canada in a tiny camper, and over the years, they visited nearly every town and ghost town in BC. Dan’s most recent trip was with Jean, on a cruise to Alaska.

Anyone who encountered Dan over the years came away with a smile, and we hope that is how he will be remembered.

Special thanks to Doctor Vorster, and the staff at Hospice House for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the Central Okanagan Kelowna Hospice House.

A private family memorial service has been held.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.

Share with Others:

Share on Facebook
Share Via Email

Central Okanagan Hospice House Link: www.hospicehousekelowna.com

 


 


Condolences

  • Lori Arkell says:

    We were so blessed to have you as our “stepdad “ for a few short years. Your joy for life, optimism and strong values were a true inspiration to Dave and I. Love you Dan and will miss you very much. Thanks for taking care of Mom.

  • Gordon & Marilyn Wunderlich says:

    Dear Doug, Chris, Tom & family: Our sincere sympathies to all. We will always remember your Dad’s beautiful smile & his interesting stories. Uncle Danny was a great man to have known.

  • Liz Ring says:

    I am so very sorry to learn of Uncle Dan’s passing. He was definitely the fun uncle! When I called them out of the blue in 1980 that I was on a road trip and happened to be in Kelowna, they invited us in, fed us and we had a fantastic time. Always hoped to get out that way again and look him up! Miss you Uncle Dan, say hi to Mom and Dad(Rita’s brother Gerry) for me! Hugs to Doug, Chris and Tom and your families. Cousin Liz

Leave a Condolence Message for the Family


» To share your condolence on this page please fill out the requested fields.
» If you have a photo to share, please do so as families appreciate it. To share a photo (please note, just one photo per condolence please), click the 'Choose File' button and select a photo from your computer.
» Once you are done, click the 'Share' button.
» Your email is never published or shared. Your name and email are both required.

NOTE: all messages will go through an administrative process before being posted.