The news about Horst's passing is indeed sad for all of us who knew him. In addition to being such a polite, friendly, and talented individual, I always regarded him to be a unique member of the group of hard-working teachers employed at TASIS. He became part of the lore surrounding the school. And I always liked the sound of his name. Somehow, it evoked the image of the universality of the school, an American institution with strong old school and European ties. He will be missed.

Robert Winer, former faculty

Very sad to hear about the passing of Horst Dürschmidt, my photography professor at TASIS. He is one of the reasons I still love photography so much. Taught me about the work of Henri Cartier Bresson and to catch the moment to share a story. His laugh was communicative, especially when you could hear it from the dark room. Another star shines in the sky. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed.

Sophie Desplaces ’92

Imparting not only knowledge but skill and self-worth is the aim of any virtuous educator, and Horst was one of the finest. He sought to challenge your assumptions without being adversarial; he taught the basics without being condescending; he embodied passion without obsession, and all while never lacking in compassion or sincerity. Horst showed that anyone could peer into the pentaprism, off of a mirror and through the lens to extract the essence of our world. I will be forever grateful for having known Horst as my advisor, my teacher, and ultimately my friend. That which I learned from you can not be quantified or described, but nor can it be forgotten.

Luca Stickley ’07

I didn't know Horst well, but while teaching at TASIS, I admired him mostly for the ease he seemed to exemplify. He appreciated who and where he was and had a ready smile for those who engaged him. I enjoyed talking to him and knowing him. To me he was a pillar at TASIS. Veteran teachers like him were the foundation and mortar that everyone else stood on. Rest in peace, good man.

Tim Callahan, former faculty member

Sad news. RIP. He was a rarity in the business of teaching. He had the patience of a Saint. Personally, he opened my eyes to the world of photography and I was forever changed. He will be remembered fondly by many.

Lorenzo Angelides ’90

It is rare in our world for one person to touch the lives of so many others, students and adults, as Horst has. His life and these marvelous tributes to him put his generosity of spirit on display. During my years as Head of School in the late 1970s, Horst taught us all about art, culture, photography, beauty, and integrity. When I visited Lugano again about a half-dozen years ago, my wife and I spent some excellent (and unscheduled) time with Horst, sharing good food, good wine, his home, opera music, and a newer Lugano art museum. I loved that personal time, far more than I'd had during the years when I was school head and he was a faculty member. I understand more about Horst the man, the humanity, the deep sense of propriety and the good, and his remarkable, broad, eclectic (but, yes! opinionated) world outlook. Horst was the treasure that keeps on giving. A very special man.

Peter Stevens, former Headmaster

It saddens me so to hear about beloved Horst. As a dorm father, teacher, and friend, Horst was a very special and beautiful part of my life and will be greatly missed. Being the caring, loving, and special human being he was, I know there are a lot he touched around the world that are feeling this loss too! My heart and healing prayers go out to them.

Darby Hinton ’75

I remember you, Horst, my dear colleague, in countless ways. Let me start with your avid support of all endeavors artistic, ranging from your beloved photography or painting or sculpting to acting or singing or dancing…AND listening with a fine ear to exquisite music. Then, your whole-hearted approach to teaching and mentoring inspired so many of us with its central focus on clarity, dedication to excellence, and celebration of achievement. Your kindly but definite challenges brought out the best in whoever was privileged to be entrusted to your care and/or to work alongside of you. Further, you always sought to build up, whether structures or the confidence in people, this latter with one of the gentlest, heartiest voices I have ever known. Finally, I thank you for your long-time loving friendship, generosity and help… and even for introducing me to "spaghetti nero" on one of our outings in search of culinary delights. Ruhe in Frieden, Horst, mein samfter, edler und unvergesslicher Freund—Du hast ein Paradies mit Opernmusik verdient!

Joseph Michael Horak, former faculty member

“Vissi d’arte....non feci mai male ad anima viva!” Tosca, Puccini.

Horst, you touched so many lives and around the world so many hearts will have been saddened by your passing. But so many thoughts will have turned to happy memories of life-shaping moments shared with you in the Coach House...a haven for many. What better testament could there be for an educator. I hope you fully understood the influence you had in so many lives and why your life was so important. During the 28 years I worked with you, I admired your dedication, hard work, and consummate professionalism. I missed you at TASIS after you left. I would walk past your house and smell the cooking and hear the sounds of opera ...your other passions… and I hoped you were enjoying a well-deserved rest. A life with purpose. A job well done. Horst, it was a privilege to have known you.

I remember Horst being a truthful teacher, always siding with the student, not with the faculty. I remember him as the teacher who taught me the Art of photography, the taking of the picture, the developing the film and the printing. I remember the Advisor's dinners at his house in Montagnola, having fun and drinking beer even when we couldn’t. I remember that even when we were no longer in school, when in Lugano, we used to always pass by and say hello while he was teaching one of his classes, with the same passion that he always shared with his students. I remember the jokes that we used to play on him, and one I want to share with you. One night, Andrea Speroni ’85, Pietro Vago ’86, and I were having dinner at the house of Alessandro Lo Monaco ’86. Pietro, at one point, came up with the wicked idea to go to Horst’s house and throw some stones (small) onto his roof. We immediately agreed and directed ourselves to Montagnola where we gathered a bunch of stones which we smartly then threw on Horst’s roof. Horst’s immediate reaction, once he heard the dinging on his head, was to exit the house and see what was happening, looking everywhere for the cause. We, of course, were well hidden behind some fences and were laughing like crazy. These actions went on for ½ hour, with Horst alternating his inspections by looking out of his windows, suddenly exiting the front door, etc. Not totally happy with our joke, we went into a local bar and, using the inhouse phone, we called his house and presented ourselves as the Comune supervisor. We told him that we had been contacted by the local police in reference to several complaints which many residents have put through regarding some strange noises which were heard on top of their roofs. We then asked him if he had experienced such a problem. He replied in a perfect Italian, but with his natural strong German accent, “YES, YES, I heard it. Several months later we went back and redid the joke. This time Pietro wanted to construct a wall in front of his house door. Just imagine the face that he would have had in the morning opening his door. Thank God we then were more mature and did not go through with this plan. Couple of years after, on one of our visits, we told him about this story that he still well remembered. We all loudly laughed about it and that is the picture that we want to remember him with. Ciao Horst! 

Saba Dell’Oca, President Class of 85  Andrea Speroni, Vice President Class of 85  Pietro Vago ’86  Alessandro Lo Monaco ’86

Warmest wishes and condolences to his near and dear ones. He was an inspiration to many and a dedicated teacher and mentor.

Susanne Ådahl ’85

One of my fondest memories of Horst goes back to January 1982. TASIS winter break in St. Moritz (Laudinella Hotel) was over, and for the first time ever the Headmaster had asked the Business Office to let a banker stay in St. Moritz for the entire period and I, being the junior in the B.O., was the natural choice. When school packed up and left, I ended up standing in the freezing cold waiting for the yellow "postale" to take me back to Menaggio (Lake Como) when an old battered VW "beetle" stopped by and Horst waved me in. We had a wonderful long journey down the mountain (it was snowing madly and I still don't understand how the beatle made it), I had a free ride, a free art history and photography lesson and listened in awe to his passionate speech. Back home he stopped for lunch at our place and he charmed my mum and dad in German, a language they both spoke. A true gentleman and one you didn't need to see every day to love, respect, and miss. Ciao Horst!

Daniele Pelizzari, former staff member

Horst was never my teacher, but he was an ever-present figure in my life. He was a friend of my parents and a friend of mine. I have so many fond memories of him...from Christmas Eve dinners with my family (he made a mean tiramisu) to running into him on walks around Montagnola and grabbing coffee at the cafe by his house... Thinking of him and all the TASIS students and faculty that are mourning him. Horst was a real one.

James Eichner ’07

I have always had fond memories of calling in on you, on my way up to Montagnola, for a chat, good music, your art collection, and the best wine. I remember you helping me to maneuver my car, having parked it rather awkwardly behind a tree. You and I laughed so much. I was useless at parking my car, but we always had a laugh. RIP Horst.

Anne-Marie Loughnane, former faculty member

I have fond memories of my year at TASIS and my excellent photography teacher Mr. Dürrschmidt. I will always remember his positive demeanor and encouragement. He once took a photo of me and my twin brother at age twelve, which still hangs on my parent’s wall nearly 30 years later—and will always remind us of him.

Luca Steiner ’94

Last night I found out about Horst's passing from my former colleague and friend Kelly Zacha Merritt. My condolences to the TASIS family for this great loss. I was hired to replace Horst when he took a year sabbatical back in 2001, a one-year position teaching in Switzerland that lasted 15 years in all at three different schools! I had the privilege of working together with him in the Coach House for a few years after he returned from his year off. Like others have noted here, Horst's generosity, kindness, and expertise were greatly appreciated! I remember riding in his little red sports car zipping around Montagnola, dinners at his home—listening to opera and drinking wine—he was a fabulous cook! We had long conversations about teaching, art, and aesthetics. I remember a photo shoot with students at the abandoned sanitorium up the hill, and still have one of his images from that day. I'm deeply saddened by his passing. He made such an impact on our students and faculty alike. Rest in Peace my dear friend and mentor Horst. Your life mattered greatly and I am thankful to have known you for a short while.

SueAnn Walentuk, former faculty member