Friends and family remember Tony Klengenberg in Inuvik

A much loved Elder and legendary Northern games athlete will be put to rest this Saturday, but many people in Inuvik arenSA国际影视传媒檛 waiting until then to pay their respects to their dear friend.

Friends and family of Tony Klengenberg gathered May 19 at Happy Valley Park to pay their respects and share their memories of him. Klengenberg passed away May 12 and a memorial service is scheduled for May 22. He was 56 years old.

A memorial luncheon was held May 19 at Happy Valley Park to honour Tony Klengenberg, who passed away May 12. The gathering was claered by the Office of the Chief Public Health officer and kept to under 50 people at the park at any given time. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo — A memorial luncheon was held May 19 at Happy Valley Park to honour Tony Klengenberg, who passed away May 12. The gathering was cleared by the Office of the Chief Public Health officer and kept to under 50 people at the park at any given time. Eric Bowling/NNSL photo

With Covid-19 restrictions limiting how many people could gather in an outdoor space to 50 maximum, a guest list was maintained by Ruth Wright to ensure the gathering remained within safety precautions. A luncheon of goose, caribou head soup, tea, burgers and sweets was served to people as they passed through the gathering.

Those who gathered remembered a great friend, uncle and athlete.

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Klengenberg was legendary for his skills at traditional Inuvialuit games, routinely placing in the top tiers of the One Foot High Kick in 1982 in Fairbanks, Alaska by ascending eight feet, four inches. He won the event the year previous, with a leap of seven feet, six inches, telling the Edmonton Journal in 1981 that he SA国际影视传媒渘ever trained.SA国际影视传媒� He was awarded the Howard Rock Memorial Trophy for his outstanding athletic abilities in 1980 and later in the 1980s took the world record for the one foot high kick at eight feet, eight inches, ending Steve SA国际影视传媒淕ulukSA国际影视传媒� Cockney SrSA国际影视传媒檚 five year reign.

Tony Klengenberg enjoys a cigarette over some tea in a photo distributed throughout the town. Friend and family described him as a caring man who always was there for his friends and family. photo courtesy of Jeffrey Amos and Ruth Wright.

He was also known for his One Hand Reach, where he managed to stretch out five feet and four-and-a-half inches in 1982.

On top of his athletic accomplishments, Klengenberg was also an active member of the community, serving various roles with Hunters and Trappers Associations and lending his knowledge of the land to mange groups. His knowledge of the Delta was noted as an exceptional help in a number of scientific studies ranging from the health of fish populations to the variations in ground temperatures.

At the gathering, friends remembered a fun guy who was always up for an adventure. Also remembering him for his unshakable sense of humour, a few friends couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 resist sending him off with a parting jab.

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