Dr. Otto Schaefer Passes

Dr. Otto Schaefer, born in Germany October 2, 1919, died peacefully at his home in Jasper on Nov. 2, 2009, at the age of 90. Otto lived in Germany until 1951, when he immigrated to Canada to realize his dream of working with the Inuit in Canada’s arctic.  He was a medical doctor who gave 32 years of his life to caring for the Inuit, learning their language, traveling by dog team, and researching health and nutrition issues in the north. His work with the Inuit and his contribution to medical literature won him widespread recognition, awards, and honours from several universities, governments, and other institutions.  He was also made a member of the Order of Canada. It was Otto’s request that his body be donated for medical education, his parting gift to medical science.

He is survived by his sister Resi of Germany, sons Lothar (Debbie) of Smithers, Alfred (Elfriede) of Germany, daughters Taoya (Ian) of Invermere, and Monika of Jasper, as well as grandchildren Alfred, Kara, Seamus, Harold, Heidi, and Alastair.  Otto was predeceased by his wife Editha (a.k.a. Didi) in 1992, and his youngest daughter Heidi in 1988. He was also predeceased by brothers Josef, Theo, Hugo, Alfred, Franz, Werner, and sister Lisbeth.

A memorial to celebrate Otto’s life will be held at the Skyline Lounge, Lobstick Lodge, 94 Geikie St, Jasper, Alberta on November 22nd at 1 pm. Otto’s life work amongst the Inuit has also been detailed in the 2000 book, Sunrise over Pangnirtung.