Gerhart Teuscher

Loving husband to Marilyn, caring father to sons Richard and Jonathan, his daughter-in-law Martine, and his grandchildren Julian and Valentina. He is survived by his siblings in Germany: Günther, Gudrun, Hiltrud, and Irmtraud.

Born in Isny, Württemberg, he grew up in Germany and studied there and in North America the subjects of Law, German Studies, and Modern Languages. From 1960 he was an interpreter and translator at the Canadian and British embassies in Bonn, and also a lexicographical employee of the Langenscheid dictionary publishing company. From 1965 to 2000 he taught German Language and Literature at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

His colleagues and students at McMaster remember Gerhart as an incredible person, a superb teacher, mentor, and scholar. Under his steady hand he served as Chair of the Department of German. Gerhart was recognized with a Teaching Award from the Faculty of Humanities and the McMaster Students Union. He was exceptionally encouraging to students, many of whom later moved on to faculty positions and other leadership roles.

Throughout his life he demonstrated remarkable collegiality, both in and beyond the German Dept. His collegiality even extended to his frequent swims at the McMaster pool.

In 2001 he retired as Professor Emeritus, and continued to live in Dundas, Ontario, and in Ferney-Voltaire, France. He and Marilyn spent many wonderful years together travelling in Europe and North America. During the last years of his life, he served as a tireless and devoted caregiver for his wife.

In private life, he loved music, poetry, hymns, and nature. He spent many wonderful summers with his family at a cottage on Wood Lake, Muskoka, canoeing, hiking, and enjoying the haunting call of the loon in the early morning.

Together with his many scholarly works, ranging from translating biographies of the musician Franz Liszt, to a historical journal about a sea voyage from Germany to Quebec in 1776, he is also the author of “Jakob und der blaue Zauberdrachen” / “Jacob and the Magic Blue Kite”. This children’s book in German is about a 12-year-old boy who is unable to walk, who one day discovers a magical kite trapped in a tree that can lift him into the sky on wonderful adventures.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

If desired, donations to Margaret’s Place Hospice or the Victoria Order of Nurses would be appreciated by the family.

Online condolences may be made at www.marlattfhdundas.com