Stephan Peter Katz, Former Member
December 16, 1942 - October 3, 2024
With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved Stephan, who departed peacefully yet unexpectedly at the Ottawa General Hospital. He leaves behind his devoted wife of 41 years, Nikki Pora, and cherished family members in Canada, Czechia, Monaco, Germany and France.
Born during World War II in (then) Czechoslovakia to Gertruda Leder and Robert Katz, Stephan was an only child raised in the small town of Jiloviště in the outskirts of Prague. After completing his degree in architecture and design at Charles University, he immigrated in 1966 to Darmstadt, (then) West Germany. In 1968 he traveled by boat to immigrate again to Canada, arriving in Montreal the day after the Soviet invasion of Prague, on August 21, 1968.
Stephan settled in Ottawa and went on to have an illustrious career in architecture in the nation's capital. In 1975, he established his own firm and was subsequently joined by Robert Webster and Douglas Clancey to form KWC Architects. As a founding partner, Stephan guided and mentored the growing firm until he retired. Now in its third generation of partners, KWC is an award-winning architecture firm serving both government and the private sector.
Stephan is survived by four children: Robert Wohl, Nicola Katz (Todd Walton), Chelsea Fulton and Andrea Katz (Ricardo Andrade Marquez). He was a proud grandfather to eight grandchildren: Barbora, Adam, Zoe, Zachary, Katya, Tommy, Ryan, and Jack, and two great-grandchildren, Tommy and Leo.
Stephan held a deep affection for his family home in Old Ottawa South and the much-loved chalet at Mont Tremblant and cottage at Otty Lake, where he embraced the outdoors in all its splendour, mowing grass, chopping wood, making bonfires, and building things every available weekend. Never one to sit still, he was an avid skier, cyclist, swimmer, canoer, and windsurfer. He sought joy in nature and loved working outdoors in any weather. If the sun was shining, he was ready to bathe in it.
To plant a tree in memory of Stephan Peter KATZ, please visit Tribute Store.