About us at Erhard’s Orthopedics. This our team:
Erhard Marenbach
Born as a son of a master shoemaker and a foot nurse, Erhard grew up around shoes, feet and foot problems in Germany.
He started his apprenticeship in 1978. As he was interested in the medical part of the orthopedic profession he took his apprenticeship not with his parents, but under a “Meister” Orthopedic shoemaker( Master Pedorthist). After 7 years of continuous learning Erhard passed the exam as Master Pedorthist in Germany, which represents the highest European certificate: the “Meisterbrief” in 1986.
As he worked for years with an orthopedic surgeon and conferred with him for the best options for his patients it was a great opportunity for Erhard to learn even more and challenge himself everyday under the watchful eye of this surgeon. In 1992 Erhard took over his parents business.
1999 he and his wife Iris took over Erhard’s Orthopedics Ltd. in Kelowna. Successfully growing it into it’s current facility of 2000+ sf.
With great pride does he manufacture custom made orthotics and custom orthopedic shoes and braces.
Erhard loves to help people to stay mobile and lead active lives. One of the greatest rewards in his profession is the appreciation by patients who are back on their feet after life threw them a lemon.
A shoe store specialized in comfortable and fashionable shoes and sandals is now a part of our store. Most shoes and sandals can be fitted with orthotics so are many designed to assist with various health problems, i.e. bunions, diabetes, arthritis as well as for care situations.
Iris Marenbach
Iris, Erhard’s wife, is also an orthopedic shoemaker journeyman and “Master” Shoemaker, from Germany.
She does most of the orthopedic modifications to shoes (build ups and specialty rocker soles/i.e. slider tips). As Orthopedic work always comes first. Iris can only do limited shoe repairs for time reasons.
Iris also assists Erhard in the manufacturing process of orthopedic shoes and orthotics.
Cecilia – The friendly lady behind the counter
She strives that the customer feels well taken care off at the front desk.
Cecilia will gladly assist you to find shoes in the right size & width. If you need to find a specialty shoe for a specific foot problem she will help you with this, too. Working with people, especially the elderly gives her great joy.
Cecilia will help you to deal with problems like bunions or hammer toes or swollen feet. Should your foot problem be more severe, she may ask you to book an appointment with Erhard to assure you get the best possible outcome. In general this will not be needed.
This is pretty much all about us. Please visit our store, we are looking forward to meet you.