Okanagan College Media Release

The legacy of Hermann Koessler’s passion for trades will carry on through students at Okanagan College thanks to a generous donation made in his memory.

Three years after her husband’s death, Ute Koessler made the difficult but emotionally rewarding decision to donate his tools to students at Okanagan College, despite being offered thousands of dollars for the valuable collection.

“The last thing Hermann said to me was ‘I have so much knowledge to give, I wish young people would want to be tradespeople,’” she said. “My husband was so skilled and willing to teach people, he was so proud to be a tradesperson. I know he would be honored to have his tools used by so many learning the trades.”

Koessler’s lifetime worth of tools, valued at more than $87,000, were hand delivered by his friend Mike Goodmurphy and his wife Ute, who took the time to speak to a group of entry-level Automotive Service Technician students at Okanagan College; telling them about Hermann’s life, his work and his passion for their chosen field.

A German immigrant, Hermann arrived in Montreal in 1969 with one heavy suitcase containing a few articles of clothing and his most prized possessions, his tools. A trained and experienced mechanic, possessing a meister brief from Germany, Hermann’s lack of English made his early years in Canada challenging. While others were paid $5 per hour, Herman earned just $2 for the same work.

Supervisors quickly took note of his mechanical aptitude and ability to fix nearly anything and Hermann was able to overcome his language barrier, rising through the ranks.

Hermann’s skills took him around the world; he and his wife eventually moved to the Okanagan and settled in Oyama. In 2001 a fire swept through the Koessler farm burning down Hermann’s workshop and collection of tools.

Insurance replaced Hermann’s tool set, which included grinders, drill presses, table saws, and hand tools – those new tools all now live at Okanagan College.  

In one of his last conversations with his wife, Hermann told Ute “Every day I have left is a gift, and I have only one regret, people don’t want to learn from my vast knowledge they just want me to do it for them.”

“If Hermann were here today,” said Ute, “he would give you apprentices this advice: take it easy, make it nice. There is no such thing as good enough - it either works or it doesn’t, tools don’t fix things, you do. Don’t be ashamed to be a tradesperson, it is a noble profession, tradespeople are extremely valuable, little to nothing runs without a tradesperson, and you will help so many people with your skills and knowledge.”

As per his wife’s wishes, Hermann’s tools have been distributed throughout the trades shops at Okanagan College. Some went to the RV Service Technician shop, others to Automotive Service Technician and some to Carpentry. Ute believes Hermann would have been most happy working in the RV department, where students learn a little bit of everything.

“We are honoured to accept Hermann Koessler’s tools,” said John Haller, Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship. “Okanagan College is a place of learning and a place where we promote the same passion and appreciation for the trades. We know the importance of providing skills and training to the next generation and are humbled to carry on his legacy.”

In addition to her generous donation of tools, Ute plans on establishing legacy scholarships at Okanagan College in her husband’s name to support students in the Women in Trades program and individuals coming through the Gateway to the Trades program.