Stadt Frankfurt trauert um ehemaligen Palmengarten-Direktor Gustav Schoser

(pia) Gustav Schoser, der ehemalige Direktor des Palmengartens, ist vergangenen Donnerstag, 5. Januar, im Alter von 87 Jahren gestorben. Schoser hatte die international renommierte Institution von 1968 bis 1992 geleitet. Oberbürgermeisterin Petra Roth würdigte den Verstorbenen mit den Worten: „Gustav Schoser hat mit seinem Lebenswerk Garten- und Kulturgeschichte geschrieben und eine ganze Ära der Modernisierung des Palmengartens geprägt. Mit ihm verliert die Stadt Frankfurt einen wichtigen Botschafter in der Welt.“

Der am 22. August 1924 in Trochtelfingen geborene Schoser schuf die Basis, für die der Palmengarten auch heute noch steht: Mehr als ein botanischer Garten, mehr als eine tolle Event- und Entspannungs-Location, mehr als eine Sparte im Kulturbetrieb. Ob Palmenhausgalerien, Subantarktishaus oder Konzertmuschel, ob Neubauten von Gärtnerei und Betriebshof, eine Renovierung von Haus Leonhardsbrunn, der Bau von Haus Rosenbrunn und Villa Leonhardi oder das um 90 Grad gedrehte historische Schauhaus am Eingang Siesmayerstraße – sie alle tragen seine Handschrift.

Der Botaniker rückte den Garten mit Veranstaltungen, Ausstellungen und botanischen Fachkongressen wieder mehr ins öffentliche Gespräch. Die schon im 19. Jahrhundert gepflegte Musiktradition in Siesmayers Garten nahm einen neuen Aufschwung. Für die Reihe „Jazz im Palmengarten“ etwa, eine der ältesten Open-Air-Konzertreihen, gewann er Jazz-Größen wie Albert Mangelsdorff, Christof Lauer oder Wolfgang Dauner.

Schoser holte 1975 die 8. Welt-Orchideenkonferenz nach Frankfurt und damit zum ersten Mal in eine europäische Stadt. 1980 gründete er mit der „Grünen Schule Palmengarten“ einen gartenpädagogischen Dienst, der alsbald im In- und Ausland zum Vorbild wurde. Auch nach seiner Pensionierung widmete sich der leidenschaftliche Botaniker stets seinen Lieblingspflanzen, den tropischen Orchideen und Rosen.

Schoser ist Träger des Bundesverdienstkreuzes Erster Klasse, der Ehrenplakette der Stadt Frankfurt sowie zahlreicher Orden aus der Welt der Botanik. Die Universität Mainz ehrte ihren langjährigen Lehrbeauftragten für Tropen-Botanik, der auch in Frankfurt den naturwissenschaftlichen Nachwuchs unterrichtete, mit einer Ehrenprofessur.

Die Trauerfeier ist am Freitag, 13. Januar, um 12 Uhr in der Trauerhalle des Frankfurter Hauptfriedhofes. Die Beisetzung findet im engsten Familienkreis statt.

Veröffentlicht als Pressemitteilung der Stadt Frankfurt am 10. Januar 2012

Obituary for Gustav Schoser

Gustav Schoser of Hofheim (Taunus) died on 5 January 2012 at the age of 87. Mr Schoser was born on 22 August 1924 in Trochtelfingen (Hohenzollern) as the eldest of four children of Maria and Gustav Schoser (sen.). He first studied theology, switched later to biology and graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of Tübingen. On 11 April 1955, he married Rita Geißler. The Schosers had four children. The family first lived in Tübingen and moved to Frankfurt (Main) in 1968 when Gustav became director of the Frankfurt Botanical Garden Palmengarten. In 1992, he retired from this post and moved to Hofheim.

Gustav's motto 'attempto' (I dare)

Mr Schoser received several decorations among which the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and several botanic awards. Several orchids carry his name. He also published numerous books and articles on gardening. Mr Schoser is survived by his wife Rita and their four children Claudia Schoser-Blottner of Berlin, Regina Philipps of Waldenburg, Susanne Hillmann of Wiesbaden and Benedikt Schoser of Munich and their five grand-children. A memorial service will take place at Frankfurt's main cemetery on Friday, 13 January 2012.

Magic potion

The year is 1948 AD, and all Germany lies in ruins and is occupied by foreign troops. Only one small village of indomitable Swabians holds out against the post-war depression. 

But what can the villagers do to overcome the depression and revive their village? Anything is possible, with a little cunning plus the butchers' oxblood! Its effects can be truly historic ...

This is the beginning of the tale of the remote small town of Trochtelfingen which since then has converted into a gem of the Swabian Alb not least thanks to the initiative of the three Schoser brothers Gustav, Hans and Franz. (See also under 'Gallery'.)

Mechtild Wagner (Schoser)

Mechtild Wagner (Schoser) of Trochtelfingen died on Good Friday, 10 April 2009 at her home. She was 78. Mrs Wagner was born on Easter Sunday, 17 April 1930, in Trochtelfingen, the third child of Gustav sen. and Maria Schoser. She was an apprentice in clothing boutiques in the towns of Singen and Freiburg. Later, she worked in the clothing boutique of her parents in Trochtelfingen. She married Hermann Wagner in 1969. The two moved to Bad Schussenried in 1979 where they ran a clothing boutique of their own. In 1989, they retired and returned to Trochtelfingen. 

The Wagners had no children. Mrs Wagner was preceded in death by her husband in 1999. Mrs Wagner is remembered by her family for her good sense of humor, her love for traveling and gardening. Mrs Wagner is survived by her brothers Gustav Jr., Hans and Franz and their spouses. She also is survived by her nine nephews, four nieces and their families. A memorial service took place in St Martin in Trochtelfingen on 15 April 2009.

Decorations

The 'Ring of Roses'

Schosers have been awarded with diverse orders and prizes. In 1994, Gustav was awarded the 'ring of roses' of the city of Nauheim. The ring is awarded every second year and is meant to acknowledge a personality's merit for his/her work on roses.

Ten years later, Gustav's younger brother Johannes Martin (Hans) was named honorary citizen of his home town Trochtelfingen. The laudation explained in simple but convincing terms that 'Johannes Martin is a part of Trochtelfingen'. (For more details see GEA and SZ.)

Order of Merit of Germany

In 1989, Johannes had already been awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. This honour was conferred upon his elder brother Gustav in 1991 and upon his younger brother Franz in 1992. In the case of Franz, the Order was meant to acknowledge in particular his contribution to international understanding, notably between Germany and France, which also earned him the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur.

While we can be proud of counting these highly decorated Schosers among us, we are still hoping to discover a Schoser winning a singing or beauty contest even if it isn't Miss World or Mister Universe... Please report!

P.S. Additional research has unearthed that indeed, Hans was Prince Carnival in his native Trochtelfingen in 1953 (!), surely the cornerstone of his later honors.

Schoser in a flower pot

paphiopedilum schoseri

A Schoser in a flower pot? You can have it: paphiopedilum schoseri! It is a 'lady slipper' orchid described for the first time by Braem & Mohr in 1988 who named it after Gustav Schoser, long-time director of the Frankfurt botanical garden. You would have to go a long way to pick one yourself that is to the Bacan Island in the Moluccas of Indonesia. Sounds more convenient to order one online, for example from Asendorfer Orchideenzucht for € 22.50.

And there is another orchid having Schoser in its name: paphiopedilum sukhakulii Schoser & Senghas. It is also a 'lady slipper' orchid which was found by the Thai orchid grower and exporter Mr. Sukhakul in 1964.

paphiopedilum sukhakulii Schoser & Senghas

It grows in the rain forest at the altitude between 250m and 1,000m in the north-east of Thailand and seems to have become nearly extinct in its natural habitat. Gustav Schoser and Karlheinz Senghas described this species for the first time in their publication 'Die Orchidee' in 1965 which earned them the addition to its name.

Orchids for all

Former Director of Palm Garden Schoser turns 80

He would not like to "steal the show" from those who today have the responsibility. That is why for some years Gustav Schoser has not all too often been seen at his former workplace. Unless he is asked for his help - or he is celebrated as this Sunday. Tomorrow, the City of Frankfurt organises a great reception for the 80th birthday of the long-standing director of the Palm Garden. He was "more than surprised" about this honour - and even more about the number of people who have confirmed their attendance at the event, he says.

Ein Mann mit Dornen

Ex-Palmengarten-Chef Gustav Schoser wird am Sonntag 80 Jahre

Frankfurter Rundschau, 21. August 2004

Der frühere Palmengarten-Direktor, Gustav Schoser, vollendet am 22. August sein 80. Lebensjahr. In seine Amtszeit zwischen 1968 und 1992 fielen zäh umkämpfte Modernisierungs-arbeiten und Besucherrekorde.