Obituary of Helmut WIESER

July 4, 1935 – Linz, Austria
November 14, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Helmut Wieser of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, November 14, 2020 at the age of 85 years.

Helmut was born in Linz, Austria in 1935 where he and his brother were raised by their mother Michaela Burgstaller-Kaufmann. In September 1954, looking for new opportunities, Helmut emigrated from Austria to Canada, initially settling in Lethbridge, AB. A year later, he moved to Calgary where he worked at Imperial Oil.  Helmut studied at UBC earning a BSc Honours in Chemistry and Physics in 1962 and later attended the University of Calgary where he earned his PhD in Chemistry in 1966. He joined the Department of Chemistry at the University of Calgary as an Assistant Professor in 1968. Helmut worked with the University as a lecturer and researcher and later as Associate Dean of Graduate Studies until his retirement in 2003. He was an engaging teacher and mentor helping students to awaken their interests in the world around them and make a valuable contribution.

Helmut shared his wonder of the natural world with his family and took every opportunity to surround himself in the beauty of the land of southern Alberta and B.C. He was an avid photographer and took many photos of wildflowers. He had a tremendous interest in books encompassing topics from the exploration of northern Canada to bear stories of the Rocky Mountains.  

Helmut’s sense of adventure, curiosity, positive outlook, humour and his connectedness to the land and to his family are remembered by his wife of fifty-three years Meta (nee Arends), his son Michael, daughter and son-in-law, Caroline and Paul (Bartel); his grandchildren, Liam and Owen; and extended family.     

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Calgary Humane Society, www.calgaryhumane.ca. Charitable Reg. Number: 11882 3632 RR0001 or Nature Conservancy of Canada, 245 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 410, Toronto, Ontario, M4P 3J1, Charitable Reg. Number: 11924 6544 RR0001. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Helmut’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

The family is grateful for the kindness and care that Helmut received from the nurses and staff at the Bowcrest Long Term Care Home and his physician Dr. Catherine McKenna. 

In living memory of Helmut Wieser, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.