Skip to content

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Herb Egin, aged 70 years, at the Kelowna General Hospital on Tues. July 21, 2009 due to major complications following surgery.

Herb was born in Emmendingen, southern Germany on Feb. 27, 1939. In his high school years he apprenticed as a painter/decorator, and after graduation joined the German Air Force for two years where he worked in air traffic control. Herb came to Canada in 1960 and settled in Montreal, where he worked as a window displayman. In 1962, he moved to southern Ontario where he met his wife, Fran, and they were married in 1964. In 1967, they moved west and lived in Calgary for six years where Herb worked at Eaton’s in the display department. In 1972, they moved to BC with their infant daughter, Michelle, and settled on an acreage in Craigellachie on the Perry River. There, they started in the tourism business when Herb built four guest cabins along the river and then, a few years later, started developing an attraction: Beardale Castle. This was opened in 1976 with a castle-themed building containing animated displays reminiscent of his Eaton’s displays. In the following 23 years, with a lot of long hours and a very creative mind, Herb built numerous ethnic miniature villages, many with working model trains, as well as other imaginative displays, all hand-made. During this time (1981) the attraction underwent a move to the highway and later, a name change, to Beardale Castle Miniatureland. Herb and Fran operated the business during the summer months until their retirement in 2005, when they moved to Salmon Arm. Herb continued to make a few miniatures, and also enjoyed music, photography, taking bus tours; and on his daily trips downtown, visiting with friends and strangers alike over a cup of coffee.

Herb leaves to mourn his loss his wife, Fran; one daughter, Michelle (Weisinger) and son-in-law, Peter; two granddaughters who were his pride and joy: Maja, 4, and Monika, 2; and many friends. He also leaves his sister, Helga (Willi), and brother, Reiner (Eva), as well as a nephew , nieces, and cousins, all in Germany.

It was Herb’s wish to have no formal funeral service. Instead, there will be a drop-in memorial tea on Sunday, Aug. 2 from 2:00–4:00 pm at the Weisinger home at 185l 23 St. N.E. (Salmon Arm). For those wishing to do so, a memorial donation can be made in Herb’s memory to the Shuswap Branch of the S.P.C.A. in lieu of flowers. Condolences may be sent to sympathy@bowersfuneralservice.com. Arrangements are in the care of Bowers Funeral Home, Salmon Arm.



Your condolences will be approved within one business day. You will need a valid Facebook account. Please email us if you have any questions.