Special person. Special times. Condolences.

Carl,it was a privilege to get to know You!

We will meet again:)

Had the pleasure of knowing Carl in Delhi. Played badminton against him often at The Delhi high school. Then had the pleasure of meeting him at a teacher’s professional day in waterloo. We recognized each other right away. Sat and talked with him for a long time. He was so impressive. This was after his accident but he was such a positive person. My condolences to the family.

I first met Carl at Grand River right after his injury, when I was a counsellor with the Canadian Paraplegic Association.

After his rehab we rejoined our conversations and met up at Stratford airport with the intent on going up in his Ultra Light. People thought we were a bit 'off', as they had never witnessed two paraplegics in a plane.

Our plans quickly changed however, as during the flight check, we found the propeller to be cracked right through.

Thanks to Carl I enrolled in ground school and learned to fly. So thank you Carl for your books, your humour, your adventures, your tenacity.

Carl was the amiable, crafty and quick wit in our many grade 9 & 10 classes together at DDSS, 1961-1963. He was remarkable for his unique perspectives on any situation, from Greek mythology to 'New Math'. While a solo thinker, he was still a team player. He was the model for a character in one of my books. May his memory always be a blessing to his family and so many others.

The world has lost an amazing man, who will be missed by many. Carl and I met in 1979, when he was into hang-gliding, and I was into parachuting. A couple of years later, my husband Steve and I spent a lot of time at Walter's pig farm in Guelph, where Carl taught us to fly ultralights. When Carl flew across Canada in 1986, he stopped overnight at our cottage & floatplane base on Georgian Bay. And in the years since then, our paths crossed many times. There are so many memories: visiting his Mennonite friends together, eating pie at his book launches, evenings of music, and his wedding to Deb, the love of his life. What a special person Carl was! Always with a joke to tell or a story to relate. Glad I knew him. Blue skies forever, Carl!

We worked on many projects together over many years and had some great times doing it. Carl was such a talented and driven person. Very sad to hear of his passing. My thoughts are with you Deb and family.

When I think back to my friend Carl, I remember:

* how we engaged in so many philosophical discussions

* the hours we spent with him in his motor home travelling in the province of Quebec for him to get a few more photos for his book

* the songs we sang and played together by many of our Canadian composers

* the heights we soared to in his ultralight

* the lessons he taught my sixth graders on the marvels of flight

* the kites we flew gave us another chance to "touch the sky"

* when I see little Mennonite boys running with arms outstretched pretending to be "Carl Hiebert"

* Carl touched many people and brought a bit of sunshine into each life

What a Legacy!

Dearest Carl, when I first met you, I was a little boy only a few years old.

Since first experiencing your immense joy for life, your depth of humour, and your unwavering determination to embody the way of a highly inspirational human being, I've been deeply impacted.

You have changed my life forever.

I remember when I was 10 years old, you would come over to the house for visits always filled with such excitement and love for embracing moments together with our family. Letting me ride in your wheelchair, teaching me wheelies and just having the best times! When it was time for you to leave the house, I always wanted you to stay longer so I would hide your crutches to allow just a few more minutes of your presence with us. It sounds cruel, though I never saw it that way, and I remember you recognized the humour in those actions knowing how big of an impact you had on a growing boy looking to make his way in the world.

As I near my 30th year on this planet and look back on those early memories, I realize how much they shaped me.

A beacon of hope, able to accomplish the impossible with pure laughter and joy!

I am grateful we got the chance to catch up on the phone a few months ago one last time

Tears run down my face writing this

You will always have a place in my heart Carl

Thank you for everything

Love forever

Lived with Carl as he transitioned from 50 Bricker to 48 Ezra. I would help Carl "roto till" the garden using a 250 dirt bike. I held the plywood to keep some of the dirt in the garden. Once we were coming from Elmira on his 750 and as we came to the expressway he said "watch this ". What could I do, I was on the back. We started the on ramp at 70mph ,115 , slowed to 60 for the tight part and entered the highway at 100mph, 160km. I was just able to see a bit of grass through the front spokes. What a thrill. After his accident he took me up in his side by side ultralight over Guelph Lake. No cowling, only seat belts. We did a tight turn, he put the wings almost vertical. Just hanging by the seat belts. You can only imagine the thrill. In spring, when the Conestogo and Grand were in flood we would dodge the ice for another thrill.

Thank you Carl for sharing your time with me.

Many years ago we used to work together, we became friends, we shared a few adventures. He took me flying once, which turned into a gliding experience….I remember he had a stuffed Toucan strapped to one of his Ultralights…he explained it was there to prove Toucan fly as cheaply as one..or something along those lines……He was a truly great guy.

Carl enjoyed a great many visits to Sunfish Lake over the years. I'd know he had been to visit Edna by his wheelchair tracks in the mud or snow down to her front door and back. In recent years we had many pleasant visits with Carl on our accessible deck. Skylar and Willow have got to know Jasper, Deb and much of the family too. We even had a magic show one day at the lake during the pandemic! Carl was such an inspiration and is going to be greatly missed. With immense gratitude for so many lessons and memories.

I clearly remember when Carl had his accident as I was the one who helped him fill out all the boring forms, but he never complained. He was always interesting to talk to and I admired him for the courage of going forward in life so well you hardly noticed he was in a wheelchair. He was a very interesting man who will be sorely missed by many.

Carl and I first met 50 years ago. A mutual friend thought we would enjoy each other’s friendship, so Carl dropped by. An hour later I was on the back of a motorcycle for the first time, going faster than I thought was safe, carrying on a conversation that I thought would be impossible. We met occasionally over the next forty years as Goldine and I moved to other provinces and countries. He once came from Waterloo to Hamilton to provide us with an “off the record” cable connection in our apartment. On his second cross-Canada ultra-light trip he and his entourage stayed with us in Winnipeg. We heard him give one of his delightful and inspiring motivational speeches at a MEDA Convention.

We now live in Waterloo. During the last few years Carl and I have had regular phone conversations, exchanged books, and often visited in person. Last summer, when he purchased a motorized attachment for his wheelchair, we explored the neighbourhood. He led the way, I followed on my bicycle. When I checked my speedometer we were going more than 20 km/hr along the sidewalk.

As others have said, Carl had a great capacity for friendship. His interests, passions, and skills were varied and deep, his humour - accents, wordplay, and stories - was contagious, and his curiosity, sense of wonder, and gratitude for life were boundless.

And also this. He was a great listener. Quiet, eyes steady, face encouraging, patient, engaged. His questions were simple and thoughtful. His comments were affirmative, appreciative. He loved the stories, jokes, and insights of others. He respected us and delighted in each of our lives.

Some of his best stories were the ones behind or around his photographs. His books demonstrate that he was a master at blending images and words. Three of his images and their stories are the inspiration for this small offering of thanks to Carl and hope for Deb and family.

The Gift

They said there was a great one

who went where the puck was going to be,

the future, present.

Your eye could see that way,

where the light will be

how shadows melt and reveal

glide and cover

where the horse and buggy will emerge

from the doorway of the trees

at the crest of the hill

into the waiting light

and what was going to be, is.

Your eye could picture

what was behind,

the past still present,

so you turned in the wind and light to see it new

that moving shadow, larger than life.

Your eye led ours to the golden drifted dunes

shaped and reshaped

alive with impermanence,

like our lives.

Jim Pankratz

I first met dear Carl in the fall of 1971 when I went to then Waterloo Lutheran University (now Laurier). We lived together that year in the same house on Bricker Street in Waterloo and have been friends ever since. Carl was always one of the finest, kindest and honest people I have ever met. He had a big positive influence on me as I was several years younger and came from the same background. We had many heart to heart talks that year and over the years. I drove motorcycle with him before his hang gliding accident many times and although we went very different ways in our careers I remember visiting him in the hospital after his accident and when he was very aware of how his life had changed. He said to me, "Ted, looks like I am going to have to do something different and really help people". His life long selflessness was surely proof of that statement. I could go on for many paragraphs regarding his photography for Irena and I but I can ponder and keep these memories in my heart forever. Thank you Carl!

He was surely more than true to his word! An extraordinary human being who led an amazing life proving all along that challenges are meant be met with every available fibre of your being. I truly loved this guy and his memory and example with always be with me. Our heartfelt condolences to Deb and all of his family.

Carl was a true "shunpiker", shunning the main highways while searching out the scenic back roads in search of the best photo shot. Early one morning couple of years ago, I noticed a car parked on the shoulder of Three Bridges Road beside the Conestoga River. There was a gentleman sitting in a wheel chair behind the car with a towel over his head to protect his face from the morning sun. The gentleman was Carl. He was flying a drone and capturing the low cloud-covered river valley. His images were magical. Later that same morning, I saw him again in the river valley near Hawkesville. His drone flying low over the river, had captured the interest of an Old Order Mennonite family. I had the pleasure to comment on some of his publications. Carl's great sense of humour was real. He liked the story about how the Ontario government had banned famers from making the round bales of hay because the "cows complained they were not getting a square meal". It was a pleasure to know Carl, a true and sincere Canadian, who did so much for our region, province and country. His legacy is his documentation of the human spirit. Rest in Peace our good friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Deb and the rest of the family.

Carl and I became friends back in the late 70's through our love for hang gliding. I made numerous trips down to New York state in those days on hang gliding adventures and would run into Carl a number of times at Savona, Bath, Hammondsport and Elmira, NY. I recall one particular occasion at Savona, NY......the launch site, which was about 1000 feet vertical above the highway, the winds were coming across the launch ramp and were not favorable to fly. There were about 15 of us with our gliders set up to fly but could not launch due to the crosswinds. The only one that had the nerve to launch that day was Carl. Once launched, he flew the ridge for an hour while the rest of us packed up our gliders and drove back down the mountain. Carl was a fearless flyer and became an excellent hang glider pilot and was respected by us all. Blue skies my friend.

I got to know about Carl in my teens already with his flying. He landed in the field at a barn raising close to Dorking with his yellow and red ultralight which I now own with 3 owners in between, got to know them all personally at Lubitz field flying club 5 miles East of Plattsville. One year at the UPAC convention at Lubitz Carl asked me if he could fly my single seat quicksilver, was kinda hesitant because I knew he hadn’t been flying in many years but later decided I would give him the chance to fly. I called up Carl Friday night told him I’m going to be flying tomorrow, landed at my friends place nobody around. Did find out till later when I stopped in to talk with my friend at the farm that Carl was there, had just missed him because they had gone to Peterborough for a coffee. Was sooo looking forward to seeing Carl flying my airplane but sadly it never happened. Carl brought many smiles to the peoples faces with his quick witty humor and always making the best of everything, Carl no doubt also had his share of struggles like the rest of us but seemly kept himself on the bright side of things. Carl will be dearly missed by the flying community. My yellow and red 550 beaver ultralight will be a very precious keep sake and a constant reminder of his legacy! My sincere condolences 💐 to friends and family in this difficult time. Love Deb and family

It was an honour flying with you, Carl, in every sense.

See you up there.

Bless your soul Carl. We met when Carl worked with Rogers, we helped them launch their Pay TV services in the 80's. I remember my first flight on his ultralight. I heard his stories through the headphones in the helmet I wore as we flew over Mennonite country. It was truly an unforgettable "Magic Carpet ride."

Such a great person. Was so good to me and such fond memories. A true inspiration. Will be missed. Soar in heaven Carl.

Carl’s energy and creativity and world view enriched my life in so many ways..grateful to have known him.

I met Carl many decades ago, when we collaborated on a project. We shared a love of flying machines, of course - as well as many other topics. What always struck me most about him was the fact that, of all the people I have known, he was the one who truly lived his life the way it should have been lived, and wouldn't ever ket anything get in the way of that. I didn't know he was a musician until he mentioned it a year or two ago in conversation. Now, it looks as though we won't be having that jam session we promised each other. You will always remain an inspiration, Carl!

Carl and I only recently re-connected after sharing an exciting aviation experience about 20 years ago. I looked forward to our weekly conversations. An amazing person with a sense of humour that sometimes ran circles around me before hitting me in the head. Rest in peace Carl.

About 10-15 years ago, I asked Carl if he would take me up in his ultralight. He said sure. I asked how much it would cost & he said, write me some poems. I paid with 6 poems, based on the five elements in the Chinese calendar (earth, metal, water, wood and fire) plus one from the Greek tradition (air). Below is one of them

Views from an Ultra-Light over Waterloo County

This morning, in an ultra-light, I’ll greet the sun,

quick-silvery, I’ll tell him how I’ve never felt

so bouncing green, beside the ochre corn, along

the grassy air strip. I check my earphones, speaker, seatbelt

as over the fence we lift, over the trees, and turn,

quick-silvery, while I tell him how I’ve never felt

so grounded, here, framed by aluminium, airborne,

the doors beside me open to the wind’s shush,

as over the fence we lift, over the trees, and turn,

to circle, swoop down to terrorize the gulls, as I rush

to grab the roll bar, stomach and head concerned about the lack

of doors beside me, open to the wind’s shush,

to the roar of fire and metal spinning at my back,

the silence of the pilot’s wheelchair by the shed, his happy grin

as I cling to the roll bar, stomach and head concerned about the lack

of fear, this unexpected vista, this happiness, unearned,

this morning, in an ultra-light, as I greet the sun,

the silence of the pilot’s wheelchair by the shed, his happy grin,

so bouncing, beside the ochre corn, along the grassy green.

Oh my! Carl and I talked frequently about his latest book project or mine. He also left me with solving "a double oxymoron" which I never mastered. Carl's wonderful memories also formed an integral part of a tribute which I broadcast for the late Mary Eileen McClear for CKWR's Promenade Radio Magazine last spring. I shall miss our conversations dearly.

We are so sorry to receive this news. We have so many great memories of the time we spent with Carl. From the many Sundays we spent together motorcycling, water skiing, playing guitars together and the Sunday dinners on Candlewood Crescent and the visits here in Nova Scotia. Carl was a big part of our family for many years. Carl made a difference in ours and everyone's lives he touched a shining light that will never fade.

Carl was a hero. Bon Voyage friend.

Wonderful evenings in the cozy atmospher of the storybarn in Baden, with hot cider, the potbelly stove fired up, and hearing Carl's stories. He was a hero.

Carl was an inspiration to all who met him. I still have signed copies of his beautiful books, Gift of Wings, and Us Little People. Deep condolences to his family and friends

I only met Carl Twice. He was an inspiration to many. A very good man. Blessings

Carl's sense of humour and mischief was boundless and his ability to tell a joke or pull off a prank with a straight face was impressive. Once he phoned a friend of mine at my suggestion and posed as an officer of Revenue Canada (as the CRA was called back then). Carl played the role perfectly. Another time while waiting at an airport he taught me how to go up and down the escalator in his wheelchair without assistance. A solemn official came by to explain there was an elevator and that what I was doing was unsafe. I got up out of the wheelchair and Carl, unidentified and sitting nearby shouted out, "Incredible! He's been healed!" It was always a privilege and a joy to be with Carl. He lived passionately but with an ever-present twinkle in his eye. He has left some of his spirit, his kindness, his great attitude to life in many of us. We feel your loss, Deb and family.

Carl made the absolute most of the cards he was dealt. An amazing person and such a talented photographer.

An inspirational man who taught me to push beyond what I believed possible! Such a bright light.

Knew Carl through his photography, reputation and his many books. I enjoyed the words written here about Carl especially the line "He lived with intention".

Carl was a great, great man. His passion for people was remarkable. I had the pleasure of guiding Carl through Kenya and Tanzania on different trips, and I will never forget seeing the faces of those children after Carl gave them Polaroid photos that he took of them. The world has lost a gem.

Thankyou for sharing your passion for life. Your sense of humour and charm was a delight.

Though we did not know him extremely well, Carl generously bought skateboards for our sons, starting a longtime passion for them. Ditto for taking us up for spins in his ultralight, even letting his passenger take the controls.

A gentleman. An inspiration. A friend. A hero.

Thank you Carl my dear friend. You have been a profound influence and guide in my life in photography, ultralight flight, adventure travel, wood carving and so much more. No doubt at all that the world is a much better place because you were in it. I am filled with gratitude to have shared life's journey with you.

I had the privilege of sitting with Carl talking about our mutual loves of flying and photography, and despite all the time he spent in the air, he was the most down to earth person I have ever met. Carl was an amazing photographer clearly understanding the artistic part of a photograph, utilizing natures many patterns to build a fantastic portfolio. Your talents will be certainly missed Carl, but moreso your many wonderful human attributes. Go in peace my friend.

Carl was one of a kind! Always happy to look around a corner and make a difference. I have many fond memories of time spent togu over many years! Ret in peace...

The most poignant memory I have of Carl took place during my last year as country representative for MCC in Uganda, 2004. Carl came for 2 weeks and we spent a good 7 days going from one village to the next listening to people tell their stories of living with HIV/AIDS. This was the very beginning of digital SLR cameras so at the end of every day he and I would spend several hours going over the images we had taken that day. Carl was always so affirming and positive. As we were leaving one community Carl noted a group of men under a tree drinking a local brew. He called for me to stop so we could engage with these men and photograph them. I said Carl I don't even know them. He said no problem that he was happy to engage them. I told Carl that he was at a distinct advantage because he was in a wheelchair and could therefore go up to anyone and talk to them without being a threat. He told me that I was welcome to use his wheelchair whenever I wanted!! Thank you Carl for your indomitable spirit and positive energy!

What a wonderful, driven, talented man. I have fond memories of having joke-telling shoot-outs with him. No matter what the joke, he always had another in the same vein. So privileged to have known him. Carl has 'slipped the surly bonds of earth" once again. Safe flying.

Every once in a while you come across someone who just has that special “something “ and Carl was definitely one of those few. He was warm, highly intelligent and talented, yet humble and so kind. The world is a little summer today. Love to Deb and family.