Staff Reporter
One of the last legends exploring Namibia from horizon to horizon and a writer of several books, Helmuth zur Strassen, passed away at the age of 94.
Helmuth zur Strassen and his wife were regular features, always shopping together. He is especially known for his wicked sense of humour and general humility about his vast treasure of knowledge and scientific interests.
After he stopped lecturing on various tourism and science related topics he was asked what he is doing now. He always answered that he now has the most dangerous job in the world, because retirement is the only “profession” that leads to certain death. Informanté shares the tribute from Manni Goldbeck, who knew Zur Strassen personally and elevated him as the first Ambassador of the premier Gondwana Tourism brand, something Zur Strassen was extremely proud of.
(Tribute by Manni Goldbeck Gondwana Collection and sketch by Karel Swanepoel — Pic Sapien)
Remembering Helmut zur Strassen
by Manni Goldbeck
Our beloved dear friend and respected lecturer, Helmut zur Strassen, passed on last night after leading a full life imparting his wisdom and love for Namibia to all around him. He shall be missed and remembered not only for his knowledge of the natural world, but also as a great storyteller and for his mischievous sense of humour.
A Gondwana ambassador and good friend, Helmut played a major role in the training of Namibian tour guides and had an extensive and sound knowledge of Namibia after spending 44 years in the industry.
Following in the footsteps of his father, who was a professor of zoology and director of Frankfurt’s renowned Senckenberg Museum of Natural Science, Helmut inherited his open eyes and ears and keen interest in the natural world. During his younger years working on a farm and later travelling for a livestock marketing company, he learned to identify every tree and shrub.
When he was asked to lead a group to the White Lady rock painting in the Brandberg in 1964, beginning his long career as a tour guide, he realised that he had found his niche and didn’t look back. He joined Springbok Atlas Safaris and remained with the company for twenty years, the latter half as a manager and director.
On retiring Helmut continued to work as a freelance tour guide, sharing his knowledge of Namibia with other tour guides, and holding courses for TASA (Tour and Safari Association of Namibia) and NATH (Namibian Academy for Tourism and Hospitality) for seventeen years, lecturing on fauna, flora, geology, astronomy and ornithology.
Besides his catalogued collections, which include stone tools, plaster casts of animal tracks, stamps and postal history, seashells and snails, Helmut wrote seven books about Namibia, the titles illustrating his vast knowledge and love for his country. For many years he was a valued member of the Namibia Scientific Society.
Eventually at the age of 78 Helmut decided to stop leading tours and four years afterwards gave up lecturing, devoting his last years to his wife, Alrun, his cacti and lithops rockery and his many other interests.
The loved and respected tour guide, friend and lecturer shall be sorely missed, and we send our warm wishes and deep condolences to his family. Many Namibians have been enriched by Helmut’s presence and enlightened by his knowledge and the generous sharing of it. And we give thanks for his contribution to opening up our eyes to the Namibian landscape and natural world.
Rest in peace, dear friend.
