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.

POW

Hans (r.) at work in the quarry

Johannes 'Hans' Schoser joined the German army in March 1944 at the age of just under 18. He was trained as radio operator. His war time duty ended six months later when he was taken prisoner by American troups at the Western Front in France in September 1944. The Americans handed him over to British troups which transferred him to Scotland as prisoner of war (POW).

For three years, Hans was detained in the German Working Camp No. 188 at Johnstone Castle near Glasgow. He worked there first on the construction of a sewer system for a new housing development, then in a quarry and later as office clerk and interpreter. Finally, Hans moved to camp No. 174 to follow studies to become catholic youth leader.

In 1948, Hans was allowed to return home to Germany.

The man of many names

No one is safe from misspellings. So probably best not to make a big fuss about the occasional deformation of one's first or family name.

Yet, there are cases which go beyond the limits of the ordinary. Especially, if the misspellings are frequent, seem arbitrary and appear in official documents. This describes the fate of Ludwig Schoser who immigrated to the United States in 1893.

Starting the century as Louis Schosser...

* The 1893 Ellis Island Passenger Record refers to him as 'Ludwig Schoesser'
* The 1900 US Federal Census as 'Louis Schosser'.
* The 1904-1906 Durango Naturalization Records as 'Ludwig Schoser'.
* The 1910 US Federal Census as 'Ludwig Sokaser'.
* The 1911 Durango Ranchers Directory as 'Ludwig Schoser'.
* The 1920 US Federal Census as 'Andwig Schoser'.
* The 1930 US Federal Census as 'Todnez Schaser'.

... having become Todnez Schaser in 1930

In total, there are four different ways Ludwig's first name and five different ways his family name have been spelt. In fact, it is not even clear which was Ludwig's 'true' name as we do not know what he was called at birth. And had Ludwig not spent all his life after US immigration in Durango (Colorado), it would be almost impossible to trace him through time.

Snappshot in time

This photo shows George Schoser and his wife Catherine with their children Pauline, Jacob and William 'Bill'. It was taken in about 1916 in Meade, South Dakota where the family lived at the time. In total, George and Catherine had eight children. Five of them however died at a young age including Pauline and Jacob on the picture. In contrast, William was almost 90 when he died. 

The inspector

Is there the perfect crime with burglars leaving no traces and the police having no chance of catching the culprits? 

Frank Schoser would certainly deny this. He works for the Criminal Investigation Department of the city of Tübingen. It is his very task to make visible and analyse any traces burglars have left on the scene of the crime whether finger or shoe prints, broken glass or traces of tools used to break open windows or doors.

Frank is member of a team of in total 16 inspectors dealing with about 4,600 incursions per year (see Südwest Presse). They use traditional detection techniques as well as special lighting methods or electrostatic charging to uncover the identity of the burglars. However, cleaning ladies are said to dread the inspectors even more as they are able to make visible every grain of dust... 

The fashion designer

Under the label 'fashion by RS', Rebecca Schoser of Owen designs her own fashion collection. The range of clothes includes for example evening gowns, T-shirts and skirts.

Designs and samples of Rebecca's collection are presented on her website. It is also there that the items can be ordered directly from her. On command, she will manufacture the clothes herself.

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'.)

iChina

Qinqin Schoser works as assistant editor for the iChina Magazine, a monthly English-language magazine based in the U.S.. The magazine aims at giving an independent view on China's society, economy and culture and at building a bridge between the Chinese and Western people. Having moved to the U.S. quite recently, Qinqin is well-placed to mediate between the cultures.

iChina Magazine is available in print and as electronic version on the Internet. The most recent issue on the website, however, dates from May 2009. It therefore seems that the magazine has meanwhile ceased publication.

Bavaria's pearl

The tourist information of the Bavarian town of Donauwörth displays a remarkable creativity in branding its city:  'ancient free imperial city', 'Bavaria's pearl on the banks of the Danube' or 'North Swabia's friendly center'. It also offers no less than 35 different guided tours and excursions to discover the historic, artistic and natural treasures in and around Donauwörth. Top of the list are a visit of the cathedral tower and a boat tour on the Danube which, after all, is Europe's second longest river even if it is still pretty small in Donauwörth.
Daniela Schoser is member of the team working at Donauwörth's Tourist Information and organising guided tours and excursions. Apart from the 35 standardised tours, she can also help to adapt the programme to the individual needs and wishes of the visitors, for example separate tours for men and women or advice on the local gastronomy. Hence, visitors wanting to spend their time drinking a few pints in a typical Bavarian biergarten can at least make an educated choice.