Otto Schaden Obituary

I knew Otto when I was a student at the Minneapolis College of Art and design in the late 70s.We had many wonderful discussions about his work,but mostly I remember how kind he was.

I just heard about Hans' death. I had the pleasure of his friendship for several years while he was in Minneapolis working part-time at the College of Art and Design. I enjoyed his wry wit and warm, old-world manner. A very kind, giving man with such a deep knowledge and love of Egypt. He once told me a funny story about one morning in his camp in the Valley of Kings when half-awake he shot his own belt mistaking it for a snake. He used to have a Pasha birthday party every year where we drank German beer and listened to German marches. He was so unique and genuine, never arrogant. I still have some very funny letters he wrote to me and will cherish them forever. Goodbye Hans. I know you're leading the band up there...

When the sun sleeps behind the mountain and the moon comes
The stillness and tranquility prevail in the deserts of Egypt and the stars illuminate the way to the Valley of the Kings
your memory will Remain, Dr. Schaden with KV63.

When the sun sleeps behind the mountain and the moon comes
The stillness and tranquility prevail in the deserts of Egypt and the stars illuminate the way to the Valley of the Kings
your memory will Remain, Dr. Schaden with KV63.

Thank you for all your achievement in Egyptology rest in peace Dr.Schaden


from Nadia Saleh
Tripoli-Libya

Hallo.Dr.Otto.shaden
I.hope.if.you.remember.me.I.am.inspector.ashraf.Ahmed.from.Luxor
I.worked.with.you.in1991.at.West.Bank
Now.I.am.worked.at.Egypt.air.Luxor.airport
My.telefon.number.is00201006082830

..WHAT A GREAT EDUCATOR AND VISIONARY ARCHAEOLOGIST - THE WORLD WILL BE A SADDER PLACE FOR HIS LOSS, BUT A GREATER PLACE FOR HIS WORK. GOD BLESS YOU ON THE 'OTHER SIDE' AS YOU REST AND PREPARE YOURSELF FOR YOUR NEXT GREAT ADVENTURE!.

I was a former student of his Hieroglyphs classes in '73 at the U of M. Otto had such a wonderful sense of humor. Miss him a lot.

Dear Carol and family,

My mother and I were sad to hear of Hans' passing. My father always spoke highly of Hans. After my father passed, Hans provided a connection to the Czech music culture that was so much a part of my father's life.

"May peaceful moments and cherished memories bring you renewed strength and hope for tomorrow."

In deepest sympathy,
Marianne and Frances Picha

Carol and Family,

Sorry to hear of the loss of Hans.
Sorry for the delay. Now he can enjoy the music of the God's as he had expressed to me when my mother passed away. I enjoyed seeing him enjoy his Czech Music, and his willingness to play my mothers and my requests.

Peace,God be with you.

Carol Davidson

Rest in peace.

Dear Carol, it is with great sadness that I learned of the passing away of Otto. He was a wonderful person as well as a very good archaeologist and Egyptologist and he devoted the last third of his life a quarter of a century - to the task excavating KV 10 and his new found tomb KV 63. I was fortunate that I could take part in his excavations one year or the other and we exchanged emailes concerning some special finds when we were home again - he in the States and I in Germany. I miss him very much.
All of us would have loved to have him still among us without pains and for many more years. Hopefully he will now be in a serene world.
It is a big loss for us and particulary for you.
Birgit Schlick-Nolte (Egyptologist in Frankfurt am Main)

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Schaden at an ARCE meeting in Chicago. I won a prize that night, a photograph of Dr. Schaden standing in a 'pit' at one of his excavations. I was lax and didn't get it autographed, alas. The photo is in my Egyptology bookcase, visible through its glass doors every day. We talked about museums, Kenosha, Wisconsin and various small things about growing up in the Midwest. He was a delightful gentleman and he is and will be missed.

I was fortunate to know Otto as a musician as well as an Egyptologist. One of my most vivid birthday memories is of being serenaded with Happy Birthday from the temenos wall of Karnak. Of all my birthdays, that moment stands out in my memory as something truly magical. Otto was generous like that. He could make magic. Thank you so much for that. And may you rest in peace in the West.

My wife Judith & I had to pleasure of visiting KV10 as a guest of the dig in 2000. Dr. Schaden was the most gracious and delightful host one could ever imagine. He had a tremendous and warm influence on us as well as our friend Heather Alexander, a dedicated member of his Team. A rare and outstanding individual. We miss him.

Rest in Peace, dear Dr. Otto Schaden. Sadly I never met you, but I loved your work especially those about King Godsfather Ay. You are a big loss.
My condolences to your family, to your friends and all, who worked with you.

Surely, Dr. Otto "Hans" is now enjoying the unfolding revelation of the Egyptian mysteries which for us are still covered over by the sands of time. And, as a musician he can't help but be expressing his joy through new compositions. In some way may this bring consolation to his family and friends. Rest in Peace, "Hans."
George Satala and Sister Mary
Chicago, IL

Hi Carol
We are very sorry to read of Otto's passing. We would like to extend our sympathy to you and any others that may be part of Otto's life.
I have always been and will always be proud to have known Otto.

Sincerely,

Larry & Barb Musielak

Sorry to hear about Hans.


Woody and Ruth--Juanita and Linda's aunt and uncle

May the Gods/Godesses of qour loved Ancient Egypt stay with you.

My condolences to the family. May God comfort you during this time of sadness. 1Cor 1:3,4.

Rest in Peace Dr. Otto.
it is a great loss for egyptology and the world. My condolences to his family. (RIP)

The world without Otto It feels so much emptier. Such a remarkable man and Mudir, a gentle soul with his heart in the right place. A heart, by the way, with lots of room for animals too: stray dogs on the West Bank, cats in the hotel gardens, finches near the entrance of KV10: they all counted on the left-overs he saved up for them. I loved his sense of humor; only Otto would suggest using a banana palm flower as a corsage :-) He will always remain in our hearts and thoughts.

Shocked by the death of dear Otto.
He was a real friend and I will miss him dearly.

A great loss for egyptologie and the world. My condolences to his family.

May God rests his soul and gives his family courage to continue the path of life!!!!

I remember his friendly smile and wave whilst watching him work in the Valley. The trumpeter finches loved his arrival at the beginning of the season. Sad to lose him.

You allowed me to spend a little time in your world, you were generous and kind to a newcomer into the family of Egyptology and I know you will be greatly missed. May the heart and the feather balance .

So sorry to hear of Professor Schaden's passing. My sincere condolences to his family,friends, and colleagues.

I want to thank Mr. Otto Schaden for all the beautiful moments he shared and in all Egyptological dicoveries he was working on. He will always remembered as one of the best Egyptologists. R.I.P.

Let me express my sorrow for your families loss and know that you will be in my prayers.

Otto gave a young Northern Irish archaeologist the opportunity of a lifetime in The Valley of the Kings in 2005 & 2006. A real gentleman from whom I learnt so much about field archaeology and wished I had known better. Remembering my friend, colleague and Mudir.

Great to have known you Otto - since that day in August 1984 when I found you and the lamented Ted Brock tracing the decoration of the sarcophagus of King Ay. You'll be greatly missed - and hopefully both Ay and Amenmeses will now be thanking you personally for cleaning their tombs for them!
n rn.f t n n!

So sad to hear of his death, he was such a gentleman. He helped me with my studies, KV63 photos and lecture notes. It was a pleasure to know him

What a kind and supportive colleague! So much is lost with Otto's passing.

Mudir: Thank you for your mentorship, and the awesome experiences working in the Valley of the Kings. Your contributions to Egyptology, and the many memories of all those who knew you, will not be forgotten.

A personable man, made even more remarkable by his contributions to Egyptology.

I am inexpressibly sad to hear the news about the Mudir. Otto has meant a lot to me for all of my life as an Egyptologist. I have known Otto since 1986 when I was a fledgling Egyptologist. He has enriched my life enormously since then, both on a personal and professional level. I will miss his remarks about my large nose, that he claimed was offset by my shortness. I will miss his feeding the birds at the tomb and making friends with every four-legged creature on the west bank. I will miss his hat and his pipe and his intransigence about eating anything other than meat and potatoes. I will always remember the mesmerising moments in Karnak temple when he played the Egyptian National Anthem in the Hypostyle hall, and how he celebrated Sara Orel's birthday by serenading us in Beit Canada from the walls of Karnak temple, and how he purged Beit Canada of dangerous creatures with his shotgun. Innumerable trips through Egypt have been enriched by Otto's humour (always wince-inducing), erudition, and sense of fun. I owe him a great deal, as does Egyptology--he proved that the Valley was not dry, and found KV63. His excavations in KV10 have given fresh life to Amenmesse. Otto was an affectionate friend, amazing person and Egyptologist.
Salima (Slim

Dr. Shaden used to visit Toronto some years to attend the annual Symposium of the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities. He was always kind and generous to students and, indeed, to everyone who met him. His ideas were always fresh and interesting and well supported. His conversation and his article were equally delightful. I shall miss seeing his reports and hearing his talks.

I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Schaden's passing.

He was our guest speaker several times at the Northern California chapter of American Research Center in Egypt. We loved his talks, and during my membership, was here three times. After the lectures we take the speaker out to dinner, where the interaction continues - sometimes for hours. Despite his illnesses on two of thosse occasions, he was a most charming guest, and the third time we roamed so many subjects in delightful conversations. Because I am also of Austrian and Czech background, the time was way too short. His work is so monumental in Egyptology. A dear person. I was just thinking about him yesterday, and hoping he was well. This is very sad news, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and colleagues. He will be missed.
Katherine Siebel Kunhiraman

Another Egyptology icon has joined the ages. We will miss you, Otto.

A wonderful man will be a great loss to the world of Egyptology