Rudolf Diesvelt

Rudi Diesvelt (April 3rd, 1934 - February 16th, 2026)

It is with great sadness that we announce that Rudolf (Rudi) Diesvelt, 91, of Vancouver, British Columbia, died peacefully on February 16th, 2026. 

He was born on April 3rd, 1934 to Antonius Johanes Diesvelt and Gertrude Quetting in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

The upheaval of World War II saw Rudi move from the Netherlands to Belgium, France and Scotland. As a young man in Glasgow, he worked in the service sector developing a lifelong passion for fine food, quality wines, and spirits. He married Annie Lindsay in 1958, emigrated to Winnipeg, Canada and later had two children, Alison and Mark. Rudi settled with his family in Vancouver in 1962. Divorced in 1970, he was married to his second wife, Gretchen Horie, from May of 1975 until Gretchen’s passing in August of 2025.

Rudi trained extensively and worked as a chef in England and Scotland from 1950 to 1958, then as a steward for Air Canada from 1962 to1999.  Alongside his travels for Air Canada, he pursued his interest in leather design, book binding and jewellery design, selling to galleries, boutiques and craft shops across North America. In 1970 he opened a boutique on West 4th Avenue. In time, he expanded his business, opening shops in Gastown and Kerrisdale. When the demands of running the business became too great, he withdrew to a private studio and workshop to continue developing his craft.  His work was initially marketed through his company, “Rare Discovery”, then “Celtic Empire”. Rudi took great pride in producing things of lasting quality with thoughtful attention to detail.

Rudi was a man of insatiable curiosity who loved travelling and meeting people. He had an avid interest in the history of Indigenous cultures, Celtic culture, art and design, stamp collecting, calligraphy, ancient weaponry, gemmology, and the natural world. A veritable creative force, he was constantly busy making or fixing things and was always eager to lend a hand. He loved dressing up for an occasion and enjoyed hosting special events for family and friends, entertaining everyone in wild and wonderful ways with his generous, dramatic, larger-than-life personality.

Rudi is survived by his children, Mark (Luz); daughter, Alison; grandchildren, Lindsay, Maxim and Luis; siblings, Heather (Al) Chuck (Sally), Martha (Frans), Ad & Alphonsine; and a great many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gretchen Diesvelt; mother, Gertrude Duffy; stepfather, Douglas Duffy; father, Antonius Diesvelt; stepmother, Maria Diesvelt-Smits; and step-sister, Therese Hazeemans van Maanen.

Rudi did not want a formal funeral service but asked for a small, private gathering to be held with his nearest and dearest, and that wish will be granted. He will be dearly missed by a great many people. May he rest in peace.