[meteorite-list] In memoriam Walter Zeitschel

[Darryl Pitt]

Martin,

Thanks you for this posting....and if you could please be so kind to  
forward messages of condolence---including this heartfelt note---to  
his family.

For those who are not aware....

In the late 80s,  two major figures had an unparalleled impact on  
meteorite collecting (and on me personally).  Cut from very different  
cloth but similarly impassioned, Bob Haag and Walter Zeitschel were  
perfect compliments (and nearly stereotypical caricatures of the lands  
from where they hailed): the American showman/impressario and the  
resolute German collector.  With capital "Ys," they were the Yin and  
Yang of the meteorite world, and I, among so many, were blessed to  
have Walter's sobriety, wisdom and wonderful good humor in my life.   
Why mention Bob's name in this brief tribute to Walter?  Because  
everyone should know that Walter was, and forever will be, every bit  
as important a figure as Bob, and in too many published references he  
has not received his due. With a collection that was breathtaking in  
scope, and a passion to match, there are a handful of meteorite  
collectors/dealers in the pantheon of greats who truly made a  
difference, and Walter---who didn't ride a wave but who was the wave--- 
is among them.

With pause and sadness....

Darryl






On Dec 7, 2009, at 8:10 AM, Martin Altmann wrote:

> Last night Walter Zeitschel has left us.
>
> http://kuerzer.de/WalterZeitschel
>
> Walter was one of the most outstanding meteorite personalities of  
> our times
> and one of, if not the greatest collector of the 20th century.
>
> Walter's meteorite specimens were for so many for us the doorstep to  
> our
> lifelong fascination for those irons and rocks from space.
> Countless collectors he led to our hobby, long ago before meteorite
> collecting was as popular as today; till today.
>
> Our thoughts now are with his wife Nikki and his family.
>
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