Horst (Pat) Herrmann, one of the Chemainus area’s many unsung characters, died recently, leaving a legacy in wood.

His chainsaw versions of various animals and birds populate Waterwheel Park and private collections worldwide.

Herrmann was believed to be in his mid-80s.

“He was so gifted,” said Chemainiac Mavis Sheikh.

“He could sit and sketch on a napkin in a restaurant and within a few strokes you knew what it was.

“It’s sad to see something like that just end.”

Sad indeed, explained long-time friend Ian Shaw.

He placed Herrmann’s wildlife carvings — a cougar, raccoons, a bear, an eagle and two blue herons — in Waterwheel.

“He was an awesome carver who lived an interesting life.

“He used to log and had a big ranch in the Peace Country,” Shaw said.

“Pat first carved a bear out of a bar of soap, that’s how he got started.”

The German native also made global sales after Japanese businessmen spotted his chainsaw handiwork in mural town’s Weyerhaeuser dry-land sort.

“He carved two life-size grizzlies that went to Japan,” said logger Shaw.

“Pat was always bugging me for wood.

“He was a good guy who liked to bs in the coffee shops.”

Shaw also owns various pieces by Herrmann, including a bear, a quail and a woodpecker in a burl.

He and Sheikh said Herrmann kept his personal life quiet.

“He was a low-key guy,” Sheikh said. “He didn’t want much publicity.”

She said Herrmann immigrated to Alberta at about age seven and eventually came to Chemainus some 20 years back.

“He was a naturalist and a carver who was a ranchman and raised horses and cattle; he knew about birds, trees, and forestry.”

She remembers Herrmann as being “a bit rough and ready; very gruff and business like.”

“He loved anything to do with the outdoors but he was better known in other countries where his carvings were shipped,” she said, backing Shaw’s recollection.

The Saltair carver made works spanning eagles, blue herons and cougars.

“They were so life-like,” she said.

“It’s astounding; every one has its own expression. He captured the essence of the creature.”

Hermann also trained German shepherds to jump onto old stumps and even small buildings, the two remembered.

Shaw said Herrmann was in care in recent years.

A little plaque saluting to his Waterwheel works symbolizes the man’s private nature.

“A small plaque sits behind the waterwheel itself but you can’t really see it,” Sheikh said.

An informal memorial for Herrmann is set for Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Twisted Sisters coffee shop.