Beat Ledergerber

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Beat Ledergerber, loving husband,
brother, father, uncle, grandfather, friend and mentor. He is preceded in death by parents
Othmar and Martha, sisters Martha and Maria, brother Albert, and his son Griffith. He is
survived by his wife Jyl, children Jennifer (Ken) and Aaron, his daughter-in-law Nicole,
grandchildren Jessica (Zachary), Hailee (Cory), Mark, Christopher, Geneva and Austin,
niece Heidi (Rick), grandniece Krystal (Brett), and grandnephew Cody (Freija). In
Switzerland he is survived by brother Othmar, sister Pia and numerous nieces and
nephews. Beat was also survived by the mother of his children, Lou. Beat firmly believed
that family extended beyond blood relations, and he leaves behind many friends who
became his chosen family.

Beat was born and raised on his family’s farm in northeast Switzerland. He grew up
learning dedication and the value of hard work. Between going to school, being an alter boy
at his town’s Catholic church, and following in the families love of music as a drummer in
the town’s marching band, he was working on the family farm, helping the neighbours, or
driving ambulance during his mandatory military service.

In the spring of 1953, at the age of 20, Beat made the decision to leave Switzerland and
start a new life in Canada. He spent the next 8 years making his way across Canada
working on farms, construction sites and sawmills. In Alberta, he also completed his
mechanics apprenticeship. In April 1961, he got a call from Earle Brooks of the Yukon.
Earle had heard of Beat and wanted him as his Sawyer at 1202. Beat told Earle that he
would get things settled and head north in a week. But that wasn’t good enough for Earle!
A plane ticket was waiting for Beat the next day. That phone call changed Beat’s life. He
would spend the next 63 years making the small Yukon community of Beaver Creek his
home.

Beat eventually bought the sawmill that Earle Brooks had hired him for. He also purchased
and expanded Beaver Motors, a mechanic shop and towing service. In the community,
Beat’s roles were many, he was Yukon Electric’s standby operator, Coroner, Fire Chief, the
longest presiding JP in the Yukon, also he and his plane Matilda even made many medivac
flights. In 1982, Beat became Chief Engineer for the Westmark Inn Beaver Creek. He was
also the Chief Pilot in Alaska and the Yukon for Holland America. When Holland America
made the decision to close the hotel, Beat and his wife purchased the property and ran it
for six seasons. There wasn’t much that Beat couldn’t do and he was always willing to
share his knowledge. He kept the community running for many years with his skills and the
parts he had laying around, as you never know when you are going to need it.
Beat was happiest with a crooked cigar in his mouth, busy working on one of his many
machines, flying high with Matilda, or enjoying the company of his many animals. He was a
hard worker but always made the time for “Co?ee Time in Beaver Creek” or an “occasional”
Sangria after the show.

After a serious car accident in 2019, Beat wasn’t able to continue doing what he loved to
do. Even though his last 5 years were challenging, he kept his sense of humour and his love
for telling a good story.

The family would like to thank the Beaver Creek Health Centre, especially nurse Jen and Dr.
Froud, for supporting Beat’s wish to stay home as long as possible. We also thank the staff
at WGH for caring for Beat on his many visits, especially Dr. Warren. Finally, thank you to
the staff of Copper Ridge Place for making his last months as comfortable and dignified as
possible.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Beat in Whitehorse, on August 21st, 2025. We will be
having Catholic Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral at 12:10pm followed by a gathering at
Rotary Peace Park at 2:00. All are welcome to attend. If anyone would like additional
information or have photos or stories they wish to include, please email
[email protected].