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Karl Schlesier Obituary
Karl Heinz Schlesier, age 88, of Corrales New Mexico, died on August 23, 2015 surrounded by his family. He was born on July 31, 1927 in Dusseldorf, Germany. His parents were Maria Kopp and Karl Schlesier. Near the end of World War II, at the age of 15, Karl was drafted by the German army. He wrote a personal account of his war experiences in Flakhelfer to Grenadier; Memoir of a Boy Soldier, 1943-1945. After the war, he finished high school and then attended the University of Bonn, where he received his Ph.D. in Anthropology and Art History. Karl met the love of his life, Claire, in 1948 and they were together until her death in 2013. Karl, Claire, and their first daughter, Sibylle, immigrated to the U.S. in 1962. In Wichita, Kansas Karl joined the faculty of the Anthropology Department at Wichita State University. The couple's second daughter, Sedna, was born in 1963. Karl's professional career as an Anthropologist centered on his work with Southern Cheyenne traditionalists in Oklahoma. In addition to an extensive body of academic work, Karl also wrote several novels after retiring from the university. He and Claire enjoyed their retirement in Corrales, New Mexico, and they shared many wonderful times with their daughters and grandchildren.
Karl is survived by daughters, Sibylle and Sedna; grandson Dorian; and granddaughter, Ariane.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 28th, at 10:00 a.m. at the Strong-Thorne Chapel, 1100 Coal Ave., SE. Internment will follow at San Ysidro Cemetery. Thank you to all of our dear friends who have offered such kind words in the last few days, especially the Red Hat Family, Linda Davis Stephens and Family, Mike and Barbara Hayes, and Paul Puckett. A special thanks to those dear friends in Germany, including Frank and Renate Micha, Ferdi and Margret Bleines, Horst and Ingrid Ellermeier, and Wolfgang and Gerdi Schumann. We will miss you, unser Papi, Opa, and Kalla.
To view information or leave a condolence please visit www.danielsfuneral.com
Daniels Family Funeral
Services
3113 Carlisle Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
505-884-1188
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Memories and Condolences
for Karl Schlesier
Sponsored by Daniels Family Funeral Services - Strong-Thorne Mortuary.
Friderike Seithel
August 23, 2020
In vivid memory of Karl with great respect and appreciation
Paul Zimmerman
June 28, 2019
I just finished Flakhelfer to Grenadier; Memoir of a Boy Soldier, 1943-1945 and was researching the author when I came across his obituary. I found it to be a very moving primary source of a little known program imposed upon the German youth as the military and the government grasped at straws to avoid the inevitable. Much more than a history book. Thank you for sharing your memories.
My very belated condolences to the family of Dr. Schlesier.
Linda Davis-Stephens
July 31, 2017
Karl, my mentor, my kindred spirit, was born this day and lived life fully. He shared the resolve of paradox with the world in his writings, orations, and deliberations. Karl's love of wife, family, community, and nations was as vast as the ocean of air, the sea of grass, the plains--open country and life within. Antiquities gave him inspiration, stamina, and perseverance through terrible times and excruciating compassion. I am thankful for his persistence of vision.
Robert Beattie
October 2, 2016
More than a year later I learn that Karl Schlesier has passed. Thirty years ago I was one of his students at Wichita State University. I share the grief of his admiring students and send condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. I applaud his life and second the accolades others have posted. Karl Schlesier was a great man.
April 26, 2016
Karl Schlesier verdanke ich die Begegnung mit der Action Anthropology. Eine ethisch reflektierende Forschung, in welcher der Ethnologe zum Lernenden wird und sich Theorie und Praxis in der Interaktion von Forscher und Beforschten vermitteln. Diese Forschungsrichtung ist für mich und meine wissenschaftliche Arbeit bis heute prägend. Darum wird Karl Schlesier mir immer unvergessen bleiben. Unbeugsam in seinen Überzeugungen, war er doch stets ein aufmerksamer und geduldiger Diskussionspartner.
Hermann Amborn, München im April 2016
Claus Euler
April 9, 2016
Der Tod von Karl Schlesier hat uns alle geschockt, aber in DEM Alter zu gehen und zu wissen, dass etwas vollbracht worden ist wofuer man sein Leben lang gekaempft hat, wird es ihm - auch nach dem Tod seiner lieben Frau so kurz vorher - leichter gemacht haben.
Ich erinnere mich nicht mehr daran, dass er in Duesseldorf geboren worden war, aber sehr gut an unsere Sitzungen bei der Gruendung des INFOE e.V., fuer die ich damals (vor fast 30 Jahren; ich hatte neulich noch ein Bild von unserer Gruppe in der Hand...) ihn als Vorstandsmitglied haben wollte.
Er ist stets ein Vorbild geblieben in eigentlich ALLEM, was ich gemacht habe im Leben, weil es immer darum ging PRINZIPIEN aufzuzeigen und selbst zu leben: ob das nun beim damaligen Herausgeben meines "Oekozid 5" Bandes zur Praegung des Begriffes "Terrourismus" und damit zum Ausdruck tiefster Besorgtheit der ungebremsten Vermarktung von indigenen enschen und deren Kulturen bzw. ihrem Lebensraum, fuehrte, oder ob es in den letzten 15 Jahren die Unterstuetzung der traditionellen Kultur in Indus Kohistan ist, die sich gegen Vernachlaessigung und Diskriminierung wehrt: letztlich war es immer das gleiche dahinterstehende Interesse, naemlich die endogene Sichtweise herauszustellen und der dominierenden Kultur entgegenzustellen.
Das praegt mich auch heute nach wie vor und so am Anfang vor dem ersten Job hatte ich daraus Kraft geschoepft und diese Kraft ist wie "ethical fabric" in dem was ich verkoerpere oder zu verkoerpern nicht aufgebe.
Frank Kressing
April 2, 2016
Grief and sadness -- one of the most inspiring personalities in anthropology passed away
Klaus Manzel
November 8, 2015
My sincere condolences to Karl's family. He was a guiding light for us anthropology students, opening up new horizons beyond the purely academic frame. At the same time he was an example for us with a strong ethical integrity and with that clear vision of scientific responsibility. We thank him for the personal experiences and insights he shared with us in such a generous and humble way. Please, keep guiding us.
Kerstin Fricke
October 7, 2015
My heartfelt condolences go to Karl's family. I feel honoured to have known his work as the biggest inspiration during my student life all those years ago in Munich and to have had the opportunity to visit him personally in his lovely home. His ethics and true compassion for everybody he worked with will be remembered best. A huge loss.
Robert Götzenberger
September 6, 2015
My sincere condolonce to the family. I was surprised hearing the sad message and couldnt believe it, since we still phoned only some few weeks ago and he seemed to be at good health. That left me sad and he will be missed. I will remember him as one of my teachers and a friend I knew since 2006. Staying in contact with him by letter and phone, we finally had the chance to meet personally in fall 2012, when I met both his precious wife and him in their beautiful home. It was an honor to know them. Thru Mr. Schlesier I was able to get a better understanding of the Cheyenne people. He is now with the Creator and again united with his beloved wife. I will say thank you for a last time, Danke, Neaese. My prayers and thoughts are with his family. All the best to them, Alles Gute.
Robert Götzenberger, Gablingen (Bavaria)
Kerstin TraumFänger Verlag
August 29, 2015
We were honoured that Karl Schlesier allowed us to publish his book "Josanie's War" in German language. He carefully overviewed our work as he wanted to make sure, that the intentions he had where also in the German translation. He especially liked the cover we chose as it didnt use the clischee. We knew about him by his books on the Cheyenne and by articles he published on the Iroquois and other Native Nations. For us he was very important in finding a respectful way in publishing books on Native Americans. He changed our view, because in his studies on Native Americans he probably was one of the first who worked WITH the Nations. So we also decided to publish books written by Native Americans, even if they dont sell. This is not an easy choice, as Karl probably would admit. His first essays were strongly debated upon, but he was clear in his path. We are deeply sorry, that we didnt meet him earlier so that we didnt have a chance to bring him back to Germany. He laughed about the idea and told us, that he is not in his fifties any more, where it was possible to travel from Alaska to Arizona ... bý foot. In his books you can feel his compassion and respect towards the cultures he was honoured to take part in.
Our thoughts and our sympathy are with his Family and all his friends. We know that they will find comfort in remembering all the ggod things in his life. It was complete and good. He his now rejoined with his wife.
Sincerly yours, Kerstin from TraumFänger Verlag
Friderike Seithel
August 28, 2015
Karl Schlesier was a very remarkable personality and an outstanding scientist. His sincere dedication and commitment for indigenous cultures and human issues has deeply impressed me since my first encounter with him in 1976. To be part of his action and advocacy anthropological work with the Southern Cheyenne opened my eyes for another perspective and deeper understanding of humanity.
His inspiring thoughts and his uncompromising attitude, which he shared with his students and colleagues freely and always with a good portion of humor, had a lasting impact on me until today and will guide me in future - personally and professionally. As he used to say: "You have to go on and not be afraid."
I consider myself very honored to be able to call Karl my mentor and friend.
Unforgettable will be the intense days, which I spent with Karl and Claire in her house in Corrales in October 2012 during our last encounter. He shared with me his thoughts about what will happen to him when his life on this earth comes to an end he was not afraid.
In these difficult times my thoughts and heartfelt sympathy go out his family: May you find strength in remembering the joyful hours with your father and grandfather Karl H. Schlesier and in knowing that he lived his life well and completed it fully.
Karl will always remain alive in my heart and thoughts.
Karl Schlesier, Corrales Oct. 2012
Friderike Seithel
August 28, 2015
In these difficult times my thoughts and heartfelt sympathy go out to you and your families. May you find strength in remembering the joyful hours with your father and grandfather Karl H. Schlesier and in knowing that he lived his life well and completed it fully.
Karl was a very remarkable personality and an outstanding scientist. His sincere dedication and commitment for indigenous cultures and human issues has deeply impressed me since my first encounter with him in 1976. To be part of his action and advocacy anthropological work with the Southern Cheyenne opened my eyes for another perspective and deeper understanding of humanity.
His inspiring thoughts and his uncompromising attitude, which he shared with his students and colleagues freely and always with a good portion of humor, had a lasting impact on me until today and will guide me in future - personally and professionally. As he used to say: "You have to go on and not be afraid."
I consider myself very honored to be able to call Karl my mentor and friend.
Unforgettable will be the intense days, which I spent with Karl and Claire in her house in Corrales in October 2012 during our last encounter. He shared with me his thoughts about what shall happen to him when his life on this earth comes to an end he was not afraid.
Karl will always remain alive in my heart and thoughts.
Mike Hayes
August 27, 2015
I was fortunate to be selected by Karl as one of three graduate students to accompany him on the Sedna Creek expedition of 1967, searching for evidence of early man in the New World on the North Slope of the Brooks Range, Alaska. After our return, I was surprised to learn Karl had published a short story in The Beaver, a prestigious Canadian journal. His fictional account captured the amazing country we explored, and provided a glimpse into the life of the paleolithic big-game hunters we searched for. Karl, as a professor, was an amazing story teller. After he retired from teaching, he returned to fiction with Josanie's War, a novel considered important enough to be reviewed in The New York Times. His next two novels, Trail of the Red Butterfly and Aurora Crossing won Independent Book Awards Silver Medals, as well as a ringing endorsement from Pulitzer winner N. Scott Momaday. Karl also wrote the definitive explanation of Cheyenne Shamanism, The Wolves of Heaven, and edited the text, Plains Indians AD 500-1500. A largely unknown but remarkable tale of Magdalenian hunter/gatherers of 14,000 years ago--The Leopard Springs of Ussat--may have been too good for traditional publishers. It's available on Amazon. His last book was his most difficult. In an effort to explain how he became part of the German war machine, Karl made himself return to his difficult teen years during World War II. Flakhelfer to Grenadier: Memoir of a Boy Soldier, 1943-1945 shines a light onto a piece of history that was hardly know before. War History Online chose the book as one of the five best of 2014. Writing was only a small part of Karl's life. He dedicated himself to action anthropology with the Cheyenne and to learning their culture. Karl was an amazing teacher, mentor, and friend. He shared a lifelong romance with his wife, Claire. We hope, as in Cheyenne tradition, their spirits are reunited in the sky spaces above, together again as they should be.
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Daniels Family Funeral Services - Strong-Thorne Mortuary1100 Coal Ave. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
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