Moving farewell to Logan pioneer

LOGAN pioneer Harold Regeling, will be remembered in many ways.

The father of five, who was an active and passionate member of the community, died at the Talbarra Nursing Home on Wednesday, March 14 after battling a long illness.

Describing him as a larrikin and a joker, his wife of 54 years Jill Regeling and their children Carolyn, Jeffrey and Mary said he would always be remembered for his dedication to his city.

"He was such an inspiring and well known man who everyone knew," his daughter Carolyn Martin said.

"He could travel around Australia and people would still recognise him and have a chat."

His wife and best friend Jill Regeling described him as a wonderful man.

"He gave great love," Mrs Regeling said

We loved him so much.

Harold Regeling was born on Monday, October 29, 1928 at the Beenleigh Hospital to parents August Carl and Ellen Minnie.

He was the eldest son of 12 children and lived with his family on a farm at Loganlea Rd, Waterford, which has now been in his family for more than 100 years.

While growing up, he attended school at Waterford State School and then Slacks Creek State School.

After his school days, Mr Regeling worked with his father and two brothers on the ferry that transported cars and passengers across the Logan River at Waterford.

Mr Regeling also helped construct a concrete bridge that ran across the Logan River, therefore ending his days working on the ferry.

He met his wife Jill at the Club Hotel in Waterford, and after a short courtship, they were married on June 28, 1958.

Together they had five children, Carolyn, Jeffrey, Julie, Mary and Wendy.

He and his wife were also active fund raisers for the Logan Hospital when it first opened, with Mr Regeling a volunteer at the hospital who sold papers to patients.

This could often take hours as he liked to talk to everyone.

But what he may be remembered most for was his hard work and dedication to his beloved Lions Club, in which he was a member for 36 years.

"Even when he was sick he still went to the meetings because he always wanted to have a 100% attendance record," his family remembered.

Mr Regeling suffered two strokes in 2005.

As his health slowly deteriorated during the last few years of his life, his family said there was one thing that never changed was his great sense of humour.

"Even when he was sick, he would always share a joke to the nurses who looked after him," Mrs Regeling said.

After a long battle, Mr Regeling passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 14 at 8am, with his wife and two children Carolyn and Jeffrey by his side.

Long time friend Mayor Pam Parker said he would be dearly missed.