One line in a submitted obituary summed it up succinctly.
Dick Henders “was the real deal.”
The community is mourning the loss of local businessman and community leader, Richard “Dick” William Henders who died Sept. 20 at the age of 84.
A pharmacy in the central business district of Estevan continues to bear the family name. It’s the business that Dick and his brother Scott continued after they moved their father’s company, Henders Drugs, to Estevan from Arcola in the mid 1950s.
The Henders family continued to stay engaged in the business for more than 30 years and, it was said, Dick was particularly pleased to report all family members were involved in its operation at one time or another.
Henders enjoyed many social, recreational and cultural outings, but none moreso than tracking, hunting, and refurbishing regional game bird populations, especially ducks.
Henders, besides being an avid hunter, was also a dedicated and determined conservationist who was continually advocating on the behalf of Ducks Unlimited. His volunteer efforts within that organization spanned more than 40 years.
“He showed a generation of enthusiasts how to really make a difference,” the obituary read.
This dedicated effort led to him being made a director emeritus of Ducks Unlimited, and the Province of Saskatchewan awarded him the Lieutenant Governor’s Saskatchewan Medal.
Henders enjoyed his retirement life at a cottage at White Bear Lake and he spent quality time at home in Estevan. Most recently he was a resident at the Estevan Regional Nursing Home.
He was predeceased by parents Art and Alice, sisters Pat (Bruce) Harvey
and Beatrice and brother Scott.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Cathie; children, Rick (Wendy) Henders of Calgary, Greg (Debbie) Henders of DeWinton, Alta., Nancy (Rob) McIntyre of Whitehorse, Yukon, and Jo-Ann (Kelly) Panteluk of Estevan, along with several grandchildren and great grandchildren, sister-in-law Jean Henders along with numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service at St. Paul’s United Church is arranged for Oct. 10, at 11 a.m.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Hall Funeral Services in Estevan.
