Condolences
Bonnie Mullin
My love and blessings to you Maya. Thank you for phoning me. Much love, Bonnie
Yukiko Kishikawa
Dear Manfred,
It is ironic that I was hiking up the Grotto Mountain with a couple of friends (you also know) the morning you departed. The weather was so tricky that day (some rain here and there) but as we got closer to the summit, it cleared up and the rest of the day was beautiful. This was actually my 2nd attempt. The first time I tried was with Maya a few years ago. At that time, since we saw thunderstorm approaching, we had to run back even though we were so close to the summit. After racing with the thunderstorm, Maya & I got down to the bottom safe & sound and you were waiting for us with your nice homemade dinner. This time, very sad news of you waited for us when we got back but I believe somehow your spirit was floating in the air that day and pushed the forecasted nasty weather away so we could make it to the top.... Thanks Manfred for protecting us. Your sweetness, kindness & fun spirits are always remembered and make people smile : )
Susan and Aaron
I was VERY shocked and sad when I opened the outlook this-morning to learn that you had passed away. I am so sad to hear this and esp. that we wont get to see you again. My heart goes out to your Mum and family and to Maya as well. At least I know that you are at peace now and are not in anymore pain.
We will miss you alot and will think of you always as we hike through all the gorgeous valley's and to the top of Mountains that you loved so much in the Bow Valley.
Much love to you Manfred now and always.
XO
Gwen
What a shock to see that you had passed on so quickly. My condolences to Maya and all the family. I will miss seeing you. I know that you are free and at peace and no longer in pain. I will think of you when we have our Reiki sessions. Thank you for letting me work on you.
Be at peace my friend.
Gwen
William Schimeck
I am sad that my friend, Manfred passed away.
May he rest in peace.
Annie Mein
Hey Andrew, really sorry to hear of your brothers passing.
That is very sad news for you & your Mum.
Will be in touch soon.
Gery & Dot Schubert
Our deepest condolences to all of you. We know what a peaceful place Canmore and the surrounding area can be as we have spent a lot of time in the area. The picture of Manfred on the site captures him in his element. May God surround you all and Manfred with that peace at this time.
Gery & Dot
Storgeoff/Lukat/Blaser
Dear Olga, Andrew, Raymond & family:
Our deepest sympathy to you and all the family. Life is so short, but Manfred lived his life in a very serene and beautiful part of the Rockies. Now he is no longer suffering and in a better place. May you all remember the happy times you spent with Manfred and may that help you to cope with your loss.
Rick Lukat,
Adena & Phil Storgeoff,
Betty, Tebor & Jennifer Blaser.
meindl josef
Hi Mandy
please rest in peace
and thank you for your friendship with a tyrolean tourguide, which met you twice in your lovely country - alberta and b.c. - and in your hometown canmore.
i will remeber you my whole life.
alles liebe und DANKE
josef meindl - sportplatzweg 43, A-6365 Kirchberg in Tirol, AUSTRIA
Ben and Kennan Kunz
Dear Olga, Andrew, Raymond and family:
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Manfred. Our most sincere sympathies to all of you at this most difficult time. I shared memories of Manfred with my family. I remember his passion for music and sports. He also had a great laugh. Manfred has found his place in God's creation. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May God's peace be with you.
Ben and Kennan
Ron and Mim Kunz
Dear Olga, Andrew, Raymond, and Family:
Our hearts go out to you at this time, and are sorry for your loss. We wish you peace.
Ron and Mim
Don Smith
Manfred Lukat, Bow Valley Bear;
I will remember your resonant voice
Welcoming me into your den.
A hearty laugh, a cup of tea,
always my friend.
I have never known a finer bear.
Winter has come for you my brother,
sleep well,
We shall meet when the snows melt.
Don Smith
Mike and Lori Dobbin
Maya, and Manfred's family:
We're very sorry to hear of Manfred's passing. I know that your presence with Manfred both while he was healthy, and while he was ill were great comforts to Manfred, and that you experienced many journeys together, and had planned many more.
Life is part of a journey, and not a destination.
Our condolences,
Mike and Lori Dobbin; Banff, Ab.
Jaga
"Spieszmy sie kochac ludzi, tak szybko odchodza" ks.J.Twardowski
Laczac sie w bolu z najblizszymi, wyrazamy szczegolne wyrazy wspolczucia.
Jaga z rodzina z Polski
JOHN HOUSE
I was so sad to arrive home from my Alaskan tour to hear of the news of the passing of my friend and one of the Bow Valleys long time and more colourful tour guides. MANFRED (Roy Helmuht) LUKAT, or "Manny" as he was known to his close friends. Manny was, as I knew him, a leisure travel (long haul) guide and local day tour guide, that has worked for many years for many different companies. While working at one German travel company he was known to his German speaking guests as " Johnny Many Bears". He always had a great outlook on life even when the work was hard to find and life was presenting him with monumental challenges. We had many deep discussions on how we loved what we were doing for a living and the stage we were on in the spotlight as ambassadors to our wonderful country CANADA!. Although it had taken a toll on our heath and free time with our friends and loved ones, how we were drawn back to it season after season. We knew no other option was even possible, we were "living the dream." We both suffered from winters S.A.D. affects and came to realize that it was our balancing act, our yin and yang, that we were withdrawn in the winter. We recognized we were suffering the withdrawal effects from our many constant hours spent with our foreign guests trying to squeeze in everything we knew with them and share our great country while making their experience a trip of a lifetime. That is where our joy came from. A job satisfaction most everyday workers who punch a time clock never, or rarely ever get to experience. Working with the public was our high and we never could get enough, as tired as we found ourselves at the end of the touring season. Well I for one will deeply miss you Manfred and as your last season here comes to an end and I reminisce about our chats about life and the road and I look forward to someday catching up and hearing your stories about your new adventure. Sit back and let someone else guide you on a new trail. You have earned it my friend. You will be dearly missed by all your friends, family, loved ones, and our family "across the country and on the road". We parted on the trail of life way too soon. Whatever you are doing and wherever you are, just keep that disarming smile and you will always be okay.
My condolence to your mother, brothers and Maya. May you all be comforted by a great life lived to the fullest.
Goodbye for now, Safe travels on your Journey.
John T House
Banff, Alberta
Stumboeck Club
Stumboeck Club together with his Guide Team says Good Bye
Manfred was one of our long lasting guides. There were years he could not work too much for us, since as he always said: "I am not an expert skier, but I am an expert talker and know how to please your guests". However during the past three winters we had some groups with average skiers and for them he was the perfect guide. They all loved his personality and his stories. The office staff will never forget a comment from him two winters ago. "I should be skiing all year long. My constitution is the best ever and my health is progressing from day to day". One other highlight comment last winter: "I am so thankful, that you give me the possibility to guide, as you know this is the best medication for me". This is how we will always keep him in mind, when we think about our Many Bear.
We want to take the opportunity to pass on the sincere condolences to all who knew and loved him from our Stumboeck Guides and as well as the German and Canadian office team.
Pia & Bert & Birgit in the name of Club Reisen Stumboeck
Kim & Illen Starko
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time of sorrow.
Iwona and Wes
Please accept our deepest and most heartfelt condolences at this most challenging time.
David Strauss
sorry Manfred, to hear what happened to you. I remember the good old times we had in Edmonton (1978), and also the times at the Bistro Praha. I wanted to sell you another condominium, but you wisely declined because in 1982 all hell broke loose in the real estate market. Unfortunately I was still in it, but you were the smart one being out.
I also had the pleasure meeting your Mother Olga at the German Club. A great lady and most probably always a good Mother!
Manfred, I know you are up there somewhere, and you are listening to me - remember the German saying - immer lustig und vergnuegt, bis der Arsch im Sarge liegt - well that is what you were, and hopefully that's also now what you are - still happy and vergnuegt. In fact I know you are. All the best to my German friend Manfred. Just wait a few years, I will be joining you, and I will bring my chessboard.
your friend, David Strauss
Chuck Haas
Big Brother Fred
As my "sort of" older brother from across the alley in Edmonton, I will miss the days when we were kids in the neighborhood. We played together, grew up together, respected each other, fought for each other, bought beer for each other, covered for each other, and learned from each other.
Ray - I am with you buddy. Andy - thanx for the chat we had in the alley just a day or two after your return from Canmore with your Mother.
Fred - take care of the powder and the Rossi's until we meet again!
Robert Burgener
Manfred was a good friend and will be missed.
For those he would like a glimpse of Manfred's past go to University of Alberta The Gateway archives and type in his name.
I can't paste the articles here however anyone can contact me at robertburgener@gmail.com to exchange pictures.
rob
Jörg Retzer
I'm very sad to read this bad news.I did a tour in Canada in 2005. I was in Alberta and B.C. Manfred was the tour guide. He did a very good job. He told me so many things about the country and the animals. It was an unforgotten trip for me. We stood in contact via email after this tour. I got the last mail from him in 2007. He told me about his sickness. I wrote my last email to Manfred in September 2009. But i got no answer. A few minutes ago i came to this website and must read that he is dead.My deepest sympathy for his family. I'll never forget you and this trip too. Rest in peace "Manybear".Auf Wiedersehen.
Jörg Retzer from Germany / aus Deutschland.
Sorry for my english.
marla green
To my beloved father of whom Ive only known a short while, Im fortunate our journeys in life allowed our paths to cross and filled the closure of each others existance. I will forever cherish our short visit and many conversations we shared. May God be with you, rest in Peace. To my Grandmother Olga, sister, and other uncles and family I have yet to meet, I hope one day we will reunite. Im so sorry for your loss.