Obituary of Helmuth Fuchs

FUCHS, Dr. Helmuth (1929 - 2007)It is with great sadness that the family of Helmuth Fuchs announces his passing on August 27, 2007 after a long illness. Helmuth died peacefully in Wiarton, Ontario with his wife Mercedes Chacin de Fuchs at his side. He will be sorely missed by his sons Christian and Mathias, his adopted sons and daughters Mariano Consens, Chris Prodanos, Veronica Trujillo and Flavia Consens, his grandchildren Marie-Andrea, Sebastien, Alex, Clemmy, Nicole, Micaela, Marina and Nicolas, his sister Gerda (Bauer) "Walter" and brother Hans Peter "Helga" and also by his innumerable friends and colleagues in every corner of the world. Helmuth is predeceased by his parents Margerette (Poss) and Johann and his sister Rose-Marie.Helmuth was born in Vienna, Austria on February 6, 1929. A man of many talents, he became a renowned and distinguished ethnologist, museum professional and educator. In 1956 he received his PhD in Ethnology and Archaeology from the University of Vienna, with a focus on indigenous cultures of Latin America. One year later, in 1957, the President of Austria presented him with that country's most prestigious scholarly award, the Theodor Korner Prize. Soon after, he became Curator of Ethnology in the Museum of Natural Science in Caracas, Venezuela and served as that institution's Chief of the Ethnology and Archaeology Departments from 1962 to 1967. During his last three years in Caracus, he dedicated half of his time to serving as visiting professor at George Washington University in Washington DC.In 1967 Helmuth was asked to join the staff of the Royal Ontario Museum as Curator in the Ethnology Department. Here he continued his valuable field research on Indian tribes of northern South America, contributing greatly to the collection of artifacts and publications of the ROM. From 1975 to 1980 he served as Curator-in-Charge of the Ethnology Department with tremendous energy and dedication. In the period that followed, up to his retirement from the museum in 1994, Helmuth Fuchs acted as a guest professor in some ten universities in Mexico, Peru, Germany, Austria, Canada and U.S.A. He served on important committees, including two terms on the Executive Board of the United Nations (UNESCO) International Committee on Ethnology Museums.After his retirement he continued his museum work with CESO (Canadian Executive Service Overseas) donating his considerable skills, experience and knowledge to various institutions and agencies throughout the world.Helmuth passed his last years at his beloved retreat at Colpoy's Bay. He took great pleasure tending his garden and feeding the birds that found their way to his sanctuary; he found peace in listening to their songs and to the sounds of the water nearby. He loved to behold the fabulous view from his special lookout spot at the kitchen table. And, perhaps most of all, he treasured the time he was able to spend with all of his grandchildren - just as they delighted in their time with him.In addition to his prodigious professional achievements, Helmuth was also a man of rare musical sensitivity and talent; had he not chosen the career that he did, he might well have become an accomplished concert pianist. He always shared his love of music with those around him and entertained and delighted us all with his magnificent performances and shared with us his collection of musical instruments and music from all over the world.The family wishes to express special thanks to Dr. Jean Marmoreo and Dr. Maia Nosenkis and to the staff of the Wiarton Hospital, as well as the staff at CarePartners and Community Care Access Centre. The family also expresses their special gratitude to Dr. Eric Barker who attended Helmuth with utmost compassion and dedication not only during the last eight months but during the last moments of his life. We owe you all a debt of gratitude for the care and comfort you gave to him.In accordance with Helmuth's wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be no funeral home visitation or service. There will be a memorial gathering at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to the GEORGE FUNERAL HOME, Wiarton, Ontario. Donations made to the Wiarton Hospital or the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family as expressions of sympathy. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.georgefuneralhome.com or Friends_of_Helmuth_Fuchs@comcast.net. I would like to Send Condolences Back to Notices Home | History | Services | Our Facilities | Notices | Contact Us | Links