PRANG, HARVEY AUGUST
September 12, 1931 – Herbert, Saskatchewan
May 14, 2014 – Calgary, Alberta

Harvey August Prang, beloved husband of Shirley Lorna Prang, passed under the light of the full moon at the age of 82 years, Wednesday May 14, 2014. His presence will be missed immensely by all of his family and friends. Harvey was born in Herbert, Saskatchewan on September 12, 1931, the third eldest son of 13 children. Harvey graduated from Herbert High School in 1951. In 1965 Harvey had been working for the Saskatchewan Government in the technical end of the minerals department. For 10 years he compiled and assessed well production data for various companies and determined the service could easily be improved upon. So with $3,000.00 and the support of his wife, Harvey moved the family to Calgary, Alberta. He bought a new panel truck ‘Old Blue’ and some used wireline winch and recording equipment; and with Shirley in the office he was off to the field with the first flagship unit of Oilwell Pressure Surveys Ltd., later renamed OPSCO. In 1967 Harvey expanded OPSCO with the purchase of a floundering firm for $1.00. This included a used production testing unit and a gas metering service. The move into fabrication of production testing equipment and gas-liquid separators became the catalyst, which propelled the firm into the interrelated group of companies it was so well known for. Harvey successfully led OPSCO to have more than 170 employees, with offices in seven locations, and the head office based in Calgary. The various divisions were comprised of the original wireline pressure survey service, well testing, reservoir engineering, production equipment design and fabrication, instrumentation division, machine shop, sheet metal shop, supply stores, and sandblasting/painting divisions. The company earned a place on the list of the top 100 private companies in Calgary for several years. Harvey, being a very shrewd businessman, managed to prove OPSCO served as a model of how to start and develop a small business. OPSCO went on to become a major player in the Canadian petroleum service and supply sector for many years. In 1992, Harvey decided to retire and sold control of OPSCO to his employees. In 1995 the entire company was sold. Harvey cultivated a wide circle of friends and family over the years in Calgary through business, traveling the world, and cruising in his motor home down South over the winter. In 2012 he was diagnosed with cancer, which he courageously fought for two years, his outlook always being very positive and inspirational to all of his family and friends. His passions were spending time with his wife, barbecuing - “One of Western Canada’s better home chefs”, an avid photographer and videographer, being on the golf course, fresh and salt water fishing, and cruising in his boat where he immensely enjoyed entertaining everyone. Harvey is survived by his high school sweetheart of 61 years, Shirley Lorna (Friesen) Prang. Together they raised four children: sons, Terrance (Elisabeth) Prang, Kelly (Monique) Prang; daughters, Sheryl (Philip) Hutchison, and Regina (Calvin) Doll; twelve grandchildren: Amber, Ryan, Kelsey, Tina, Lana, Robyn, Matthew, Jenna, Lauren, Aaron, Raemie, and Nicolas and seven great-grandchildren: Tenaya, Abby, Presley, Jacob, Benjamin, Kiah and Sadaya. Harvey was predeceased by his parents August and Tina Prang, his brothers Henry and Gus, and his sister Hilda. Survived by his brothers and sisters: Helen, Hazel, Donna, Margaret, Betty, Dorothy, Harry, Walter and John, and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to graciously thank the Doctors, Nurses, and Staff of Rosedale Hospice, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, and the Copeman Clinic. Interment was held in Herbert, Saskatchewan, at the Herbert Cemetery, on Friday May 23, 2014 at 2:00 pm. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held in Calgary, Alberta, at the Elbow Valley Residents Club in Elbow Valley, on Friday June 6, 2014 from 3 – 7 pm. In Lieu of flowers, memorial tributes would be greatly appreciated for the Rosedale Hospice. Condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.edenbrookcemetery.ca. Arrangements entrusted to EDEN BROOK FUNERAL HOME AND RECEPTION CENTRE (17th Avenue SW and Lower Springbank Rd).