Good Samaritans were saddened to learn of the passing of former president George Hennig in July 2022. The devoted father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and servant of the community was 95 years old.
George Hennig began his career as a Good Samaritan in 1955, sitting on the Board of Directors for the then-Lutheran Home Society. He served faithfully on the Board until 1963 before becoming chair of the Good Samaritan Hospital Board. In 1964, he was asked by the Board to accept the duties of hospital administrator. He said, “I’ve spent so much time at the hospital I might as well get paid for it.” Indeed, Hennig spent countless hours volunteering at the hospital on top of his duties, a practice he continued throughout his career.
George remained a steady guiding force for the Hospital until September 1967, when he was appointed as the Executive Director of the Lutheran Home Society. His administrative skills and dedication to the Good Samaritan vision made him the logical choice to oversee the Society’s three facilities: the Auxiliary Hospital, the Mount Pleasant nursing home, and a soon-to-be-completed residence in Stony Plain that would later bear his name.
Under his leadership, the Society ultimately found its identity. In 1969, the Lutheran Home Society became the Good Samaritan Society, earning recognition in the community for its dedication, integrity, faith, and compassion. Serving as Chief Executive Officer and President, George led the Society through a period of enormous growth, adding a range of facilities, including care homes, independent housing for seniors, group homes for the disabled, and additional outreach services (such as TeleCare). Before his retirement in 1989, George was honoured with a Distinguished Citation Award from the City of Edmonton, a Distinguished Service Award from the Alberta Hospital Association, and a Government of Alberta Achievement Award for exceptional contributions to his profession.
Throughout his 34 years of service to the Society, George Hennig truly embodied what it means to be a Good Samaritan. His unwavering commitment to compassionate care allowed the Good Samaritan Society to thrive over the decades, with his legacy becoming the very foundation on which our organization continues to flourish today.
George Hennig is survived by daughters and sons-in-law Barbara and Dale, Brenda and Dwayne, and caring companion Eva Witen, along with grandchildren Hilary, Jeff, and Jennifer, their spouses, and families.
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2022 issue of the Journey. Read this and other issues of the Journey here.
