Klaus Laackman was a globe-trotting Brantford businessman who was always willing to lend a hand.
A co-founder of ASCO Electric, the Canadian subsidiary of the United States-based Automatic Switch Co., Mr. Laackman died Dec. 11, 2022. He was 83.
“Whatever dad was involved in, be it recreational, volunteer or work-related, he made sure everyone was involved and he made it fun,” Heide Chowhan said at a celebration of life held Saturday for her father at McCleister Funeral Home. “He would make something as simple as painting a fence a learning experience and he wanted us to take pride in what we had accomplished.
“But nothing was ever about him. It was always about others.”
Chowhan’s sister, Linda Laackman, agreed. She said their father was humble and kind.
She told a story about how, when she was 11 or 12, she lost her wallet while on a family trip.
“It had $3 in it, which, back then, was a lot of money for someone my age,” she said. “I was devastated.”
She said her father purchased a new wallet and placed $4 inside.
“Growing up, we had to work hard to earn our money and he knew that,” she said. “Him getting me a new wallet and putting in $4 showed his kindness.”
Born in Hamburg, Germany just prior to the start of the Second World War, Mr. Laackman came to Canada in 1957 with his father. They settled in Hamilton and were later joined by his mother and younger brother.
Mr. Laackman was working at a company called Milko in Hamilton in 1959 when he met his future wife, Pat.
He later moved to Slater Steel in Hamilton. After a few year there, Mr. Laackman got the chance to become one of three co-founders of ASCO, which was building a plant in Brantford.
The plant opened in 1965. Two years later, the family moved to Brantford from Burlington.
“It was an interesting time that’s for sure,” said Mr. Laackman’s brother, Dave. “I think we started off with something like six employees and, as best I can recall, there were well over 100 when I retired.”
The company, now operating as Emerson Electric, is on Airport Road.
In 1990, Mr. Laackman joined the ASCO team in Hanover, NJ, serving as president of international operations. It was a post that would keep him in the United States for nine years and take him to Singapore, where he overlooks the development of ASCO in Asia.
Mr. Laackman was active in the community throughout the 1970s and 1980s serving on the executive of Brantford Minor Hockey, Ontario Minor Hockey Association and Brantford Falcons men’s soccer and as a Rotarian.
After retiring in 2002, Mr. Laackman volunteered with the St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre, the largest long-term care facility in Brantford. He became a board member, receiving the Sisters of St. Joseph Legacy Award in 2016.
Mr. Laackman was also a longtime member of the Brantford Probus Club.
He is survived by his two daughters and a son, John, and several grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife in 2021 and a son, Marty, in 2017.
“Whenever I think of dad, I think of the quote from Benjamin Franklin, who said, ‘Well done is better than well said,’” Chowhan said. “I think that sums him up.
“He gave us a wonderful life.”
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